Paper micro-review: Kokuyo KB-KW30 64 gsm copy paper

[Horseflesh]

I'm always looking for a cheap, well-behaved, unpunched loose-leaf paper. Kokuyo KB-KW30 is not quite that paper. 

 

The attachment shows the Kokuyo KB paper compared to generic copy paper and CVS "Caliber" paper, which has proven to be very well behaved for cheap paper. 

 

In short the Kokuyo KB paper is tolerable with fine nibs that don't put down a ton of ink. Step up to a wet medium nib, and you start to see some gross feathering. 

 

In my limited testing this paper can't handle the ink load required to see cool features like sheen, whereas Caliber can, at least somewhat, while also not feathering at all. 

 

Because Kokuyo KB-KW30 is copy paper, you could run it through a printer and make you own dot grid paper or lined paper, or music staves, or maybe calligraphy practice sheets... I was hoping to make my own notebooks in that way. But needing to be kind of careful about the pen I use would make using such a notebook a lot less fun.

 

On the plus side, it is a nice bright white and has a very smooth feel. It was mostly well behaved with my fine Preppy pens reloaded with various inks, but as it can't tolerate pooling you still have to watch your step. I'll still probably make a notebook or two with this paper since I have a ream of it.

 

I hope this helps some other peculiar paper people. 

 

[Azulado]

12 hours ago, Horseflesh said:

Caliber can, at least somewhat, while also not feathering at all. 

I liked the CVS Caliber. I guess it's a locally made paper. I also test with local papers.

[jandrew]

I have a ream of their KB-30N paper (in A5) and it performs very well.

[Horseflesh]

2 hours ago, Azulado said:

I liked the CVS Caliber. I guess it's a locally made paper.

 

Mine says it's made in Vietnam. 

 

I found Caliber lined paper to be good, but a blank white scratch pad (with much brighter paper) was not as fountain pen friendly. 

 

1 hour ago, jandrew said:

I have a ream of their KB-30N paper (in A5) and it performs very well.

 

Good to know. I wonder what the difference is.