What kind of paper do you use for letters?

[scribbler]

NB: Crane's sometimes has free shipping periods, which they let you know about if you're on their email list.

[Songwind]

I got some of the fountain pen pads from Richard Binder's site. I like them a lot, though they seem to be ever so slightly "sided." The back is more likely to feather a little bit than the front.

[Dip Head]

I've loved using Crane paper. My son found a closeout deal at a local Office Depot on the Monarch size w/env for only a dollar a box! He bought the last four they had.. he's a good son..

 

But I've also been enjoying Brookfield stationary. I'm on my third or forth box and really enjoy the unique icons. It accepts my pen/ink combinations well and I'd expect it to work well for others. I purchase it from a small paper shop when passing through their way, but it looks like it can be ordered online from the manufacturer as well.

 

Of course, my Office Depot house brand of premium color laser paper is nice too. It claims 115 brightness in the 28 pound weight. It really is white! I like how my inks look against it. Like many others, I cut the sheet in half and use a small envelope.

Edited May 29, 2008 by Dip Head

[tfwall]

Amalfi Angel watermark and Smythson monarch sheets.

[penhound]

Okay, so I went to get my stationary kit full of Crane correspondence cards (in varying colors and sizes) and their note paper. Started with return address on the envelope using a 1930's Parker vacumatic EF nib with Quink Black in it. Hadn't used the pen in a couple of days, so I got some skipping. Tried to write with it on a Rhodia pad and it was just as bad. Took out my Pelikan M300 M nib with PR plum in it to write the persons name I was going to send the note to. Flowed like a dream. For the street address I used a Parker "51" 1947 F nib with PR Lake Placid Blue - not a bit of trouble writing a sweet line. The City/State/Zip went down like butter using a Parker "51" aromatics with a F/M nib using PR Buttercup ink. My friend Dorie is used to my eccentricities with fountain pens and ink, so the inside is written with a variety of Parker's, Pelikan's, and a Visconti Van Gogh with a fine nib, Omas Sepia ink. Not a single problem with anything but the EF Parker nib. It glided over the page but left skip spot as in bad ink flow.

 

I used to get my Crane paper from the Crane Store in Chicago, but it has been over three years since I bought paper from them and now that store is closed. I have an ample supply for at least another couple of years. (I have a tendency to stock pile paper! I know that no one else has ever done that! )

 

I feel really bad for you if your pens will not write on the Crane. I love the paper as it comes from a renewable source and is environmentally friendly. I've been using for as long as I can remember - every since I became a "tree hugger." Some inks do have a tendency to feather a little bit on the Crane paper, but not enough to bother me or the people I write to, Dorie has been known to write me on the backs of fliers or any other scrap of paper she can find laying around when the mood to write strikes her. (BTW all our correspondence typically includes a Suzy's Zoo sticker somewhere.)

 

It really doesn't matter what you write on all that much as long as the personal message is conveyed in a form other than electronic! ! !

 

Happy Writing.

[Sonnet]

I've used Crane's, Rhodia pads, and Clairefontaine Triomphe tablets. And Office Depot looseleaf. It's all good

[JakobS]

For Poems sent in letters: Verge De France Rose (5 3/3x 8 1/4), and Ampad Gold Fibre(20-007) Retro ivory Paper (5x8)

 

For letters: Eaton(Southworth) Diamond White Bond Paper(25% cotton). Eaton Connoisseur writing paper(100%), both are very smooth, and my favorite paper. I have sent a few letters on a Southworth Antique Laid paper, but it was too rough for a smooth writing experience, and would actually hurt my hand after a while. I believe Southworth still makes the Diamond bond paper, which is also good for old manual typewriters!!

 

I have yet to use my Crane paper for anything but literary writing, but it is the thesis paper(100% cotton) and is very smooth. Having a apparent smooth finish I thought is wouldn't hold the ink that well but I was wrong!

Edited May 31, 2008 by JakobS

[orpheus]

I write lots of letters, so I always keep a writing kit in my bag: a Rhodia Uni-Blank no. 16 (A5 size) for letters. (I hate lines. I tolerate grids. I love blanks.) In the back cover I insert a few envelopes, some stamps, and some correspondence cards. (These I make by taking Fabriano Mediovalis 150 X 200 mm single cards, trimming the edges smooth, cutting them in half to make two cards approx. 100 X 150 mm., and printing my name across the top in a nice, simple, small font.)

 

The kit is not all that elegant, but is simple, lightweight, and very practical.

[Blade Runner]

I'm a paper freak. I use mostly Crane's. Among my Crane's, I have -

 

sizes: monarch, business, Kent, Corinne, folded notes, folded letter sheets ( a large sheet folded twice to fit into a tiny envelope), correspondence cards.

 

finishes: wove, kid, laid, parchmont, airmail.

 

colors: pearl white, ecru, natural white, azure, Cambridge blue, Wedgewood blue, celadon, aqua, and orange.

 

bordered paper: pearl white with navy border, ecru with navy, ecru with gold, azure with silver, wedgewood with white, ecru with triple navy hairline, white with triple navy hairline, pearl white with silver vines.

 

weights: 24 and 32lb.

 

envelope linings: white, navy, red Florentine, blue Florentine, and airmail stationery envelopes lined with an antique map design.

 

watermarks: standard Crane's "100 % cotton", "Crane and Co. 100% cotton", Crest, Crest recycled, and Bond.

 

And personalized stationery: pearl white Monarch with name copper plate engraved in navy.

 

Now only if my letter writing rate would justify the buying rate.

Did post a few finally.

Edited May 31, 2008 by jeen

[nate1865]

I use navy-lined Crane with Private Reserve American Blue for an all-American, masculine look

[Artbeast]

Zerkall Book Smooth. It is all cotton rag, 145gsm. It has the look and feel of a very luxurious paper.

 

Kadymae did a review on it. Here is that link:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...&hl=zerkall

[kiavonne]

I've been using Verge de France in gray, champagne, and ivory, with matching lined envelopes. I also bought correspondence cards in a couple of different styles from Classic Communication when they were having a sale in that you could get the envelopes printed/embossed with a return address for free (that saved a bundle). I took great pleasure in sending a correspondence card that looked fairly professional to rsvp to the invitation to attend the 30th reunion of my high school graduating class (I declined to attend). I'm still looking at different papers to use as my "signature" stationery, though.

[KG4KAH]

All,

 

I write with a signature stub, which is very free flowing. I use Crane's stationery for letters. I use G. Lalo Verge de France, which I got from Pendamonium at the Washington Pen Show for quick notes. I also have a batch of Hallmark stationery I am trying to use up, again for short notes.

 

Regards,

 

Wade

[HDoug]

I mostly use Crane's (ecru, monarch size) the most up till now. I like the stiffness of the paper (100% cotton) and the way it takes ink. But I recently got some Lalo Verge de France and although not as heavy or stiff, is smoother and takes ink very well. The laid texture also helps me keep my lines straight without resorting to a lined "cheater" sheet under the paper, which I admit to using when writing some letters. I just sent a couple of letters out with it this weekend. I find A5 a bit too small (making my words seem trivial), and A4 a bit too big (making my words seem less friendly), but I'm thinking I'll get used to it. Hope that goes for the recipients too.

 

FPN member melnicki's letters and superb traveling journals are from varieties of paper he gets from a recycler, and these papers are very nice. I'm looking for such a place here in Honolulu. I'd feel better making my writing habits less destructive to the environment. (Leaves to hug a tree...)

 

Doug

[GreenVelvet]

About Crane's: I love, love, love their paper IF the nib will work on it. The general rule (which doesn't ALWAYS apply) is that fine nibs, and certainly extra fine nibs, don't work so well on Crane's. Glide with a medium and you're good to go. Crane's takes ink beautifully and feels good against your hand, even.

 

Normally the price is prohibitive for me, but I have to crow that they are having their big 50% off sale now, so this is the time to stock up.

 

I like this:

http://www.crane.com/prdSell.aspx?NavName=...cruwhiteNotepad

 

G. Lalo/Verge de France is great. It will take any nib size and generally not bleed through. Many colors available.

 

I just bought my first Clairefontaine but haven't tried it yet.

 

This may be an unpopular answer, but I'm a bit of a stationery freak. I use a lot of things that aren't exceptionally FPN-friendly (though they can be workable) just because I'm nuts about the design, and I write a lot of letters. I tend towards the offbeat. If I sent you links to my favorite stationery purveyors, this would go on all night. But if anyone encourages me with any questions on unusual, unique or offbeat letter papers, I can go on...

 

and on...

[wejohns]

I have been using some Crane's. It works really well, the paper is great. Its kind of expensive though. What do you use?

 

I've tried quite a few. Actually did a report on various papers and posted it here perhaps 8 months to a year ago. I've settle on Clairefontaine, Rhodia and if you can deal with loose sheets, Kodak Bright White Inkjet paper. If you like lines, run the Kodak paper through a printer and lay down some of the palest blue lines you can. Works like a champ. All three papers are excellent for fountain pens, the Kodak is least expensive by a huge factor.

 

Cheers,

 

Bill J

[zenshrink]

I use Pineider stationary. It is Italian and you can no longer get it in this country. I just picked up a box in Italy and when I came home bought a box for a fraction of the cost in Italy. It is a beautiful watermarked paper (their logo is a fleu de lys in a circle) and it is has a hand painted edge and the envelopes are lined in a contrasting tissue. It is really almost a work of art. Its cost is fairly prohibitive now with the exchange rate but I consider it a rare luxury and don't write many letters.

[zenshrink]

Neglected to say that I found it on e-bay.

[ihappen]

Basildon Bond in the Post Quarto size. It is quite amazingly brilliant.

 

I really do like the Post Quarto size, because it relay is a wonderful size to write on, however it is getting increasingly hard to get hold of.

 

But personally I prefer the Champagne.

Edited July 1, 2008 by ihappen

[Rumpole]

I'm a paper freak. I use mostly Crane's. Among my Crane's, I have -

 

sizes: monarch, business, Kent, Corinne, folded notes, folded letter sheets ( a large sheet folded twice to fit into a tiny envelope), correspondence cards.

 

finishes: wove, kid, laid, parchmont, airmail.

 

colors: pearl white, ecru, natural white, azure, Cambridge blue, Wedgewood blue, celadon, aqua, and orange.

 

bordered paper: pearl white with navy border, ecru with navy, ecru with gold, azure with silver, wedgewood with white, ecru with triple navy hairline, white with triple navy hairline, pearl white with silver vines.

 

weights: 24 and 32lb.

 

envelope linings: white, navy, red Florentine, blue Florentine, and airmail stationery envelopes lined with an antique map design.

 

watermarks: standard Crane's "100 % cotton", "Crane and Co. 100% cotton", Crest, Crest recycled, and Bond.

 

And personalized stationery: pearl white Monarch with name copper plate engraved in navy.

 

Now only if my letter writing rate would justify the buying rate.

Did post a few finally.

 

Jeen, I just purchased a box of Crane unfolded notelets...can you please advise which side should one write on? eg. where and which direction should the watermark be facing? Thank u.