Best Affordable Paper?

[theodore94]

I've been using Rhodia and Mnemosyne paper for some time, and I love them... they're great. But my wallet is hurting -- especially given how much page space math takes! I'll continue to use Rhodia/Mnemosyne when I want a high quality writing experience, but for when I'm just jotting down notes: Does anyone have any good suggestions for reasonably good paper on a budget? I'm hoping to find a full size (8.5 X 11") spiral notebook.

 

Alternatively, is there a cheaper way to get Rhodia/Mnemosyne/similar paper? I've just been buying on Amazon for ~$15-20 a notebook.

 

(Note: I'm in the USA)

[mail_snail]

May not be what you are looking for, but I was pleasantly surprised by the Hobby Lobby's Master's Touch Marker Pad ( this kind )

It has horrible reviews and is probably awful for markers, but I like it. I found the front side (smoother side) is fairly nice for fountain pens, especially shading.
I can mail you a few sheets from mine if you're interested.

Edited April 30, 2021 by mail_snail
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[arcfide]

Apica CD-40, Oxford Black n' Red Spiral/Twin Ring, Clairefontaine Classic Wirebound. 

 

You might also consider giving up on the spiral and going for some of the Japanese style B5 bound notebooks from Kokuyo, which are very affordable. Kokuyo also makes A4 size as well, but there's a great selection of really excellent B5 sized books from Kokuyo. The Itoya Profolio Oasis Light notebooks are also extremely affordable and high quality, with great grid patterns for mixed math writing. 

 

Brands to check out: Apica, Kokuyo, Oxford (Optik paper), Itoya, Clairefontaine, and also the option of doing a discbound system that you punch your own paper (you can then get high quality reams of paper for very cheap). 

[Karmachanic]

Miquelrius A5. Also marketed as Basicos MR. 300 sheets/600pages. Grid.

[Paganini]

Top Flight Silverpoint. Reasonably good paper that won't break the bank. 8.5 x 11 wire spiral top-pound pads are roughly $5 - $10 on Amazon. I got one of the tiny pads at the grocery store for making grocery lists; I was surprised at how FP-friendly it was, so I got more. 

[austinwft]

Maybe check out the Clairefontaine Europa Notemaker notebooks. When bought in quantity from the seller linked they are quite reasonably priced for a quality paper.

 

10 x Clairefontaine Europa Notemaker Notebook - A4 - 90gsm - 120 Pages - Black 5016196048622 | eBay

 

Though they are European A4 sized, 8.3 x 11.7, rather than the standard American 8.5 x 11.

[PithyProlix]

For writing notes and such Muji loose leaf "planted tree paper" made in Indonesia. I don't know where you live but in Thailand it is 105 Thai Baht (about $3.40 USD) for 200 B5 sheets. 6mm lined with holes for a 26 ring notebook. I'm almost certain they have A4 and A5 too. That said, I don't know if it is carried at the stores where you live or what sizes they might have there.

 

At around $0.38 USD per square meter this absolutely trumps, by far, anything else I am aware of that is suitable for fountain pens.

 

Be aware that not all Muji's paper is fountain pen friendly. They have a 'tearaway' pad of loose leaf paper made in Japan that is terrible, for instance.