Exploring the Traveler's Company "B-Sides and Rarities" Collection, Part I: Washable and Super Lightweight Paper

June 16, 2021

Inspired by the tracks that used to appear on the “B-Side” of vinyl singles, the “B-Sides & Rarities” collection from Traveler’s Company features refills made from unusual papers with unique properties that serve a specific purpose. There are six different refills, available in both Standard and Passport size, and today I plan to look at the first two: the “Washable Paper” refill and the “Super Lightweight Paper” refill. The first as you might guess, is waterproof (or water-resistant, choose your own terminology), and the second contains ultra-thin (yet strong) onionskin paper.

Washable Paper: A “Waterproof” Paper Option for Those Who Risk Getting Their Notebooks Wet

Water-resistant paper is always a mixed bag in terms of writing experience, tends to be expensive, and typically can’t be used with fountain pens or other water-based inks. Here, with their new “Washable Paper” refill, Traveler’s Company has foregone Yupo or Rite-in-the-Rain paper in favor of the same material used to make laundry tags, with interesting results! Most notably, instead of the ink sitting on top of the page, resulting in extremely slow dry times, the Washable Paper absorbs ink. Not only does this render dry time and smearing to essentially non-issues, but it maintains “water resistance” with even the most non-water-resistant fountain pen inks. For example, if you get caught in the rain, spill a glass of water, or, heaven forbid, send your notebook through the washing machine, your writing should remain legible. And because the paper was specifically intended to be washed, it will retain its original shape and not fall apart or stick together.

For this test I cut a sheet of Washable Paper from the refill, and wrote a few lines with various pens, including fountain pens loaded with some of the least water-resistant inks in my collection (various colors of Iroshizuku and a generic black cartridge). Note that extremely wet inks will feather a bit on this paper since it’s so absorbent. Like most waterproof papers, ballpoints and pencil work the best, but fountain pens are at least usable here, with much quicker dry times. — For this test I cut a sheet of Washable Paper from the refill, and wrote a few lines with various pens, including fountain pens loaded with some of the ***least*** water-resistant inks in my collection (various colors of Iroshizuku and a generic black cartridge). Note that extremely wet inks will feather a bit on this paper since it’s so absorbent. Like most waterproof papers, ballpoints and pencil work the best, but fountain pens are at least usable here, with much quicker dry times.

As you can see, while the fountain pen ink definitely washed out after a 30-minute soak, I can still read my writing to a degree which would allow me to salvage the information if the notebook ever got sent through the washing machine. I doubt there would be any effect at all on writing done exclusively in ballpoint. Just to reiterate - NONE of the fountain pen inks I used here had any water-resistance whatsoever, and would likely disappear entirely from standard paper.

Super Lightweight Paper: An Ultra-thin Option with Better Dry Times than Tomoe River

As I discussed in an earlier post, Tomoe River Paper faces an uncertain future. The company that manufactures the paper has announced its discontinuation at various points over the past couple of years, only to backtrack, most recently announcing that while they intend to shut down their own production by the end of the year, they are exploring ways to outsource the manufacturing. Honestly, it all sounds very contingent to me, and I can’t imagine what I’d be doing if I were running a business dependent on the continued availability of this paper.

Traveler’s Company, for its part, is clearly exploring alternatives. While it’s standard “Lightweight Paper Refill”, which contains 128 pages of Tomoe River paper, is a favorite among many, the new “Super Lightweight Paper” from the “B-Sides & Rarities” collection deserves consideration in its own right. Instead of Tomoe River, the Super Lightweight refill contains 128 pages of what appears to be onionskin, an even lighter and thinner translucent paper originally used for airmail correspondence (due to its light weight) and typewriters (due to the combination of light weight and strength). Traveler’s Company describes this paper as “oilproof”, which supposedly “does not allow for oil to penetrate easily so it is hard to smear when using a fountain pen.” I’m not sure of the science behind that, but I can attest to the fact that this paper has a much quicker dry time and much less smearing than Tomoe River paper. On the other hand, it has a slightly “draggier” feel when writing with a fountain pen, and you will have more show through due to the fact that the paper is thinner. (The exact amount of show-through will vary depending on your writing pressure and ink choice.)

You’ll notice that while there is no bleed-through on this paper, there is show-through, especially where I used heavy writing pressure. It could be difficult to use both sides of the page. With pencil or a ballpoint, you would probably be fine.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

While I probably wouldn’t use these two refills as my primary everyday writing paper, that’s not what Traveler’s Company intended with the B-Sides & Rarities collection. The Waterproof Paper would be a top choice for a camping or boat trip, or a travel situation with a high risk of spills (train trip, for example?). Some might opt for the Super-Lightweight Paper as a replacement for the Lightweight Paper Tomoe River Refill, which I presume may be in short supply as manufacturing issues with Tomoe River paper are sorted out, but be aware of the show-through that might prevent you from using both sides of the page for standard writing. Stay tuned as I work my way through the rest of the newly released refills!

You can purchase both of these refills, along with the rest of the Traveler’s Company “B-Sides & Rarities” Collection, in the T.G.S. Curated Shop. The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized retailer of the full range of Traveler’s Company products, including the Traveler’s Notebook and TRC Brass accessories.

Notebook Review: Staples TRU RED Starter Journal

May 15, 2021

You may have noticed that Staples.com has been actively promoting a new range of notebooks, journals, and office supplies from the “TRU RED” line, which I first reviewed a couple of years ago. I’ve been seeing these products featured everywhere, and as expected, they eventually reached out and asked me to take a look! While my review package contained a couple packs of standard rollerball and gel pens, what truly caught my eye was the large hardbound journal dubbed the “Starter Journal,” from the TRU RED “Expert Notetaking Collection.” It didn’t disappoint.

The front cover of the Starter Journal includes a slot to hold business or index cards.

Quality hardbound (or casebound) notebooks are relatively difficult to find, especially at an accessible price point. While some people dislike them because they don’t lie flat, I appreciate the format because they offer a reliable, not to mention attractive, way to archive your notes and journals long-term: alongside your books on your bookshelf. When I saw that the Starter Journal actually included a peel-off sticker that you can use to label and organize your notebooks for posterity, I was intrigued.

Other features include a sturdy elastic band to keep the notebook closed, as well as another loop to hold folded paper, tickets, etc., and a pen loop.

The journal/notebook itself measures 8” x 10” (in-between A5 and traditional “letter”), and the grey textured hardcover is thick and has a nice “hardback book” feel to it. The Starter Journal also includes various elastic straps to keep the journal closed in your bag and secure loose papers and a pen, and contains 192 pages of what is described as narrow-ruled “premium heavyweight paper” (more on that below) which alternates every five pages between perforated to-do lists and sketching pages. It’s a useful format that strikes a nice balance between structure and flexibility.

It’s no secret that we at T.G.S. are big fans of notetaking, and especially enjoy getting into the nitty gritty (some would say “minutiae”) of notetaking techniques and methodologies. The promotional material provided by Staples.com alongside this review sample therefore grabbled my attention when they indicated that the team at TRU RED “spent two years studying note taking techniques of the most brilliant minds like Leonardo da Vinci and Charles Darwin and innovators like Richard Branson.” Now does this mean that the same notetaking techniques that worked for some famous person will automatically work for you? No, of course not, but I enjoy products that make an effort to teach something, or at least offer some guidance with integrated tips and tricks that might encourage more efficient and useful notetaking. In addition to the Starter Journal, the TRU RED “Expert Notetaking Collection” includes three additional styles (Pocket, Expert and Mastery) all tailored to complement different styles of note taking.

So how about the paper? Honestly, it performed much better than I would have expected from a mainstream notebook at this price point. What TRU RED describes as “premium” paper will work best with gel and ballpoint pens, though I had absolutely no issues with TWSBI fountain pen ink, and Iroshizuku Ajisai had only some minor “pinpoint” bleed through that wouldn’t prevent me from using both sides of the page. I would offer a caveat to this evaluation: My experience has been that TRU RED paper can be inconsistent with how it handles fountain pens. One product might work fine, others not so much. That’s to be expected in a larger line where the paper is likely not obtained from a single source or milled by the company directly. In short, I wouldn’t purchase this journal/notebook expecting to be able to use it with every fountain pen ink out there - especially those that are extremely wet or super-saturated - but standard inks should be ok. (In my experience, rollerballs bleed through pretty much everything. This paper performed better than most, and while there was some slight bleed - moreso than with fountain pens - it again would not prevent me from using both sides of the page.)

Takeaways and Where to Buy

TRU RED has made a very nice hardcover journal/notebook. Though I personally would not use all of the various notetaking features, those who attend a lot of collaborative brainstorming sessions, sketch in their notebooks, and regularly have to summarize action items and talking points may find this to be a helpful addition to their workflow. I’m certainly glad to see this level of creativity coming from larger, “mainstream” office supply companies like Staples and Staples.com.

Currently priced at $17.99, the “TRU RED” Starter Journal (and all of the TRU RED products, for that matter) strike a nice balance in terms of price and quality. If you’re interested in reading further and trying out one of these notebooks, check out Staples.com. Select items from the TRU RED lineup may also be available in stores.

Disclaimer: This product was provided by Staples.com for review, free of charge. I was not otherwise compensated for this review. This post does not contain affiliate links and The Gentleman Stationer does not earn from any referrals.

Notebook Review AND GIVEAWAY: Musubi Folio Cosmo Air Light

April 3, 2021

While Atelier Musubi has established a well-deserved reputation as a maker of high-end handbound journals made from unique and/or vintage fabrics, they recently launched the Musubi “Folio” series, described as “notebooks for the everyday.” Because the Folio notebooks are intended for everyday use, they come in at a lower price point, all while maintaining Musubi’s high standards in terms of quality construction and materials.

Introducing Cosmo Air Light Paper

What had me most eager to test this particular notebook, however, was the paper. In addition to 52 gsm Tomoe River and 88 gsm Bank Paper, Musubi has released a version of the Folio notebook that contains Cosmo Air Light, an exceptionally fountain pen friendly paper that has recently begun to capture the attention of the pen community, much in the same way that Tomoe River did years ago. While Cosmo Air Light has been somewhat difficult to find in notebook format, that is changing as supplies make their way to manufacturers.

Writing Sample: Cosmo Air Light achieves high sheening and shading by allowing the ink to spread out slightly on the page (without feathering). As a result, extra fine and needlepoint nibs may write a broader line than on other papers.

Musubi describes Cosmo Air Light paper as having an “upper middleweight thickness” - thicker and more absorbent than Tomoe River but not as thick/absorbent as bank paper. In terms of paper that I use regularly, I might compare the weight of Cosmo Air Light to the paper used in Write Notepads spiral bound notebooks. Though both handle fountain pen ink without bleed or show-through, the Write paper is a bit more absorbent and doesn’t showcase ink color, sheen, or shading in the same way as Cosmo Air Light. Inks look incredibly vibrant on this paper.

A writing sample with non-fountain pens. As with Tomoe River, you will want to give gel and rollerballs a few moments to dry (see smear test above), but there was no smearing days later. Also, unlike Tomoe River, gel pens and rollerballs saw absolut… — A writing sample with non-fountain pens. As with Tomoe River, you will want to give gel and rollerballs a few moments to dry (see smear test above), but there was no smearing days later. Also, unlike Tomoe River, gel pens and rollerballs saw absolutely no bleed through on the Cosmo Air Light. For how I use notebooks, Cosmo Air Light is likely a superior product because it’s more versatile.

In terms of texture, Musubi compares writing on Cosmo Air Light paper to a “velvety dry erase board.” While the paper is more absorbent, with better dry times than Tomoe River, it retains a slick feel yet still has a touch of tooth or drag, which I didn’t find unpleasant. I even tested this paper with rollerballs, ballpoints, pencils, and gel pens, and found the experience largely positive. While this notebook is clearly intended primarily for fountain pen use, I didn’t get the sensation of “writing on a magazine” that others have described. With non-fountain pens, I might compare it to Yupo or Rite-in-the-Rain waterproof paper, only with more texture that creates a much better everyday experience, IMHO.

A subtle, but highly useful design touch: page numbers placed in the lower right-hand corner of the cross-grid paginated notebook.

While the lined notebooks do not feature the page numbers like the cross-grid version, the top and bottom lines feature spaced dots to allow you to write headers, draw margins, and/or number pages, should you so desire. Again, these notebooks were d… — While the lined notebooks do not feature the page numbers like the cross-grid version, the top and bottom lines feature spaced dots to allow you to write headers, draw margins, and/or number pages, should you so desire. Again, these notebooks were designed with maximum versatility in mind.

Notebook Specifications

The Musubi Folio notebooks are bound in Japan by a small, family-owned bindery (as opposed to in-house by Musubi in Singapore) and sized to fit Musubi’s forthcoming “Tomo” notebook covers. Featuring 208 pages of Cosmo Air Light paper, you will get ample use out of this notebook. (If maximizing your page count is important to you, 384-page Tomoe River versions are also available.) The Folio notebook features a semi-rigid cotton cover with a linen texture, and should fit most A5 notebook covers in addition to the Musubi Tomo system.

The Smyth-sewn binding easily lies flat, and since it’s sewn, not glued, should hold up to long-term use.

Takeaways, Where to Buy, and Giveaway Details!

The Musubi Folio notebook is an excellent addition to Musubi’s product lineup, which should help make their goods more accessible to the broader pen community. Cosmo Air Light paper, as expected, performs exceptionally well with fountain pens and presents another alternative for Tomoe River fans who for whatever reason are not happy with the new formulation. I would clearly characterize Cosmo Air Light as “Tier One” fountain pen friendly paper that you can use without concern for things such as bleeding, feathering, or show-through. That said, those particularly sensitive to tooth or drag on paper, as well as those who value the ability to write an exceptionally fine line, might consider trying a sample of Cosmo Air Light prior to investing in a full notebook. It’s a unique paper with no clear comparison in terms of feel.

You can purchase Musubi Folio notebooks directly from Atelier Musubi via their website. Prices are listed in Singapore Dollars, and depending on the exchange rate, the Folio Series notebooks will run you $30-35 USD. As I’ve said before in my prior reviews, Musubi notebooks are not inexpensive, but the superb quality and company mission statement leave me with no regrets every time I purchase from the Atelier. Finally: giveaway details! In addition to the review unit, Daryl was kind enough to send me a second notebook to give away to readers. See below for full Terms and Conditions, and use the Gleam App to enter. I will pick and contact a winner after the giveaway closes at 11:59pm EDT on Tuesday, April 6, 2021.

Many thanks to Daryl at Atelier Musubi for providing these two notebooks free of charge for review and giveaway!

They Sure Don't Make It Like They Used To: Vintage Office Paper from The Well-Appointed Desk

March 24, 2021

As an enthusiast of both fountain pens and (to a lesser extent) typewriters, when I saw that my friend Ana over at the Well-Appointed Desk had managed to source vintage typewriter paper (that also happened to be fountain pen friendly) and made it into A5 pads, picking up a few was a no-brainer. The paper, billed as new old stock Esleeck Clearerase Fluorescent White Erasable Bond, 25% cotton with “Cockle Finish” and a 75gsm/20lb weight, is quite good, to the point where I’m going to have to start looking for a modern equivalent.

As with all Well-Appointed Desk and Skylab Letterpress products, the artwork and design are top-notch.

In terms of performance with fountain pens, I’ve not experienced anything quite like this paper, and therefore don’t have anything in my current reference “library” to which I can easily compare it. Maybe bank paper, or perhaps 68 gsm Tomoe River? Both handle fountain pen ink just as well, with no feathering or bleeding, but this paper has a much more tactile feel. Perhaps it’s the finish? Or the coating applied to make the type “erasable” (hence the name, “Clearerase”)? Either way, the Esleeck paper offers a window into what generic office paper must have been like 40-50 years ago, and I’ve got some serious nostalgia for a time when I wasn’t even alive.

My Hermes Rocket ultraportable, expertly restored by Nashville Typewriter.

But what I was most excited about was how dedicated “typewriter paper” performed in an actual typewriter. I popped a sheet into my favorite “everyday” machine, my Hermes Rocket ultraportable with a wet cotton ribbon, typed out a few lines, and was shocked by the clean imprint. While I wouldn’t say that this paper outperforms heavier, more absorbent cotton “rag” paper with a typewriter, that’s not an appropriate comparison. This Esleeck paper was likely intended as everyday “working” paper, similar to what most people would use in their office printer today, and it’s far and away a better product.

The paper worked equally well on my Smith-Corona Skywriter with a blue ribbon. (Ignore the smudging on the typewriter writing sample in this picture and below, as that only occurred when I ran the initial writing sample through two additional typew… — The paper worked equally well on my Smith-Corona Skywriter with a blue ribbon. (Ignore the smudging on the typewriter writing sample in this picture and below, as that only occurred when I ran the initial writing sample through two additional typewriter platens to test the paper.)

I compared the Esleeck paper to 25% cotton Southworth resume paper that I had lying around, and while the Southworth paper also handled fountain pens and typewriter ink quite well, it didn’t have the same feel as the Esleeck.

Oh, to be back in the days where standard office paper had a watermark.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

This is exceptional paper. Unfortunately, since supplies are limited, this will be it for this excellent vintage stock unless Ana manages to find more. From a bit of internet sleuthing, it appears that the Esleeck paper company was purchased by office supply stalwart Southworth in the early 2000s. I’ve used Southworth paper in the (now distant) past for resumes, etc., and it turns out I had some of their 25% cotton, 24 lb. resume paper lying around. While the paper I have is quite fountain pen friendly, it’s heavier than the Esleeck, with a rougher texture due to the “antique laid” finish. It appears that there is also a Southworth “uncoated wove” 20 lb. paper that also has 25% cotton content, which may be a closer match, but unfortunately I fear that this exact paper could be lost to the ages unless you’re willing to hunt new old stock on eBay.

(That will not, of course, stop me from obsessively trying to locate a modern equivalent. Stay tuned.)

I purchased the product featured in this review from the Well-Appointed Desk Shop with my own funds for my own use. This post does not contain affiliate links. The Gentleman Stationer is supported exclusively by sales from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and via Patreon.

Hierarchies of Fountain Pen Friendly Paper (Last Updated 6.24.26)

March 11, 2021

Years ago, I compiled a five-part resource titled “The Best Paper for Everyday Writing,” in which I looked at five different product categories that I regularly use in my working life and recommendations for each. These included hardcover notebooks, softcover notebooks, spiral notebooks, pocket notebooks, and writing pads/looseleaf. This particular post (which is semi-regularly updated), stepped back from specifics and offers more general thoughts on paper, this time going by brand.

I receive a lot of questions about which brand of paper to buy to ensure a good experience with fountain pens. Those are always tricky questions to answer because (1) “fountain pen friendly” is a relative concept; and (2) some brands use different types of paper for different products - some designed with the fountain pen user in mind, others not.

So as a baseline, what needs to happen before I will publicly recommend something as “fountain pen friendly paper”? My standard is fairly simple: No bleed-through or feathering with any fountain pen nib that can be reasonably used for everyday writing. (Because I mainly use my paper for drafting and notetaking, as opposed to drawing, wet ink samples, or flex-nib calligraphy, my standards may be more lenient than some.) I also don’t worry much about how the paper shows off ink color or things like sheen and saturation, though dry time occasionally factors into which paper I want to use for a particular purpose (i.e., quick notes). Below, I’ve divided major paper companies into “Tiers”, based on my own experience with using a range of fountain pens on their products. This is NOT intended as commentary on the overall quality of their offerings, merely to serve as a reference point on how well the paper used by certain brands tends to handle fountain pen ink according to my own standard. For example, while Field Notes is listed in “Tier Three,” that’s not surprising because the company makes pocket notebooks, and their products aren’t directed at those who want to write with a stub nib fountain pen every day. I love Field Notes, sell them in my shop, and use them fairly regularly - just not with most fountain pens.

Midori Japanese Paper Notebooks — All the Midori MD Notebooks.

Tier One

When I place a company into the “Tier One” category, it means that you can likely purchase a product based on brand alone and ensure yourself a good fountain pen writing experience.

Clairefontaine. I still consider Clairefontaine the gold standard. Clairefontaine pads and notebooks feature 90g, coated writing stock that works well not only with fountain pens but pretty much any ink you can throw at it. It’s also relatively inexpensive for quality paper, making it my first choice and recommendation.
Midori. Both their “MD” and “Cotton” lines work exceptionally well with fountain pens. I find the paper more absorbent than Clairefontaine - especially the cotton - with better dry times. Midori MD paper can also be found in standard Traveler’s Notebook refills and the refills used in the Plotter binder system. Midori also recently introduced a “Thick” version of their MD paper, perfect for heavy ink applications and those who want to use the paper for mixed media projects that involve watercolor and ink washes.
Tomoe River. Available in 52g and 68g variants, this ultra-thin Japanese paper has taken on a cult following over the years. Even with the recent change in paper formulation, which I understand slightly changed the texture and the appearance of certain inks on the page, it remains excellent paper for writing. Though dedicated “Tomoe River”-branded notebooks can be found, typically this paper is sourced from third-party notebook manufacturers such as Traveler’s Company (“Lightweight Paper” refill), Nanami Paper, Lochby (68g), Atelier Musubi, and Odyssey Notebooks (68g) (among others). For similar though smaller-batch papers, check out Japanese Paper Distributor Yamamoto’s offerings, which change regularly. I don’t feel comfortable adding any of these as stand-alone entries as many are either not regularly available or being discontinued, hence the rotation in the Yamamoto lineup.
Graphilo. I often think of Graphilo as the ultimate ink-friendly paper, given that it has almost zero bleedthrough not just with fountain pens but also with things like markers. This paper was developed by Kobeha, a Japanese stationery manufacturer based in Kobe, Japan, specifically for use with fountain pens, and Graphilo keeps getting better as Kobeha refines the product. An excellent paper for showcasing ink color.
Iroful. This ink-friendly paper from Sakae Technical Paper was designed to mimic the now-discontinued Cosmo Air Light, and is known for its ability to showcase ink colors. Some find Iroful to have a too-soft texture, though not as much as Cosmo Air Light. This paper is generally seen as an improvement over Cosmo Air Light because it does not cause the ink to “spread” as much, working better with finer nibs.
Maruman. Exceptionally good office or student-grade paper that comes in both spiral-bound and pad formats, in multiple sizes, in both the Mnemosyne (80g) and Basic (70g) versions. In addition to handling fountain pen ink well, the pages are perforated, making Maruman notebooks a top choice for those needing versatile paper to use in the office where filing or scanning notes is necessary. The “Basic” version is slightly lighter weight than the flagship “Mnemosyne,” but still handles fountain pen ink well and comes in at an extremely reasonable price point, making it a good solution for an everyday work or student notebook.
Nakabayashi. Nakabayashi makes fountain pen friendly notebooks and paper under several different lines in multiple formats. The “Logical Prime” and “Logical Air” notebooks offer a multi-lined ruling similar to Clairefontaine French-ruled paper, and the “Yu-sari” paper is thicker paper designed to handle even the wettest of fountain pen nibs. Yu-sari paper is also sold in A5 and B5 looseleaf sheets. Nakabayashi is another relatively cost-effective option, especially if you are looking for notebooks to use in a Roterfaden, Lochby, or other notebook system/cover that uses the standard A5 format.
Profolio. Similar to Nakabayashi, Profolio notebooks contain a multi-lined paper that I find quite versatile and convenient. Available in multiple sizes (A6, A5, and B5), these notebooks offer another fountain pen friendly option in a thread/clothbound lie-flat format.
Life. Another Japanese paper that can be counted on to handle fountain pen inks reliably, though Life paper can be difficult to source in the U.S. and on the expensive side. Life also makes products in harder-to-find paper styles such as bank paper, typewriter paper, and Airmail/Onionskin paper.
Apica. Though Apica primarily makes very slim notebooks with lower page counts - a product I don’t use extensively - their paper is very fountain pen friendly and cost effective.
NOLTY. A relatively inexpensive Japanese brand that is sold everywhere to the point where it almost seems like commodity stationery. Regardless, I’ve found NOLTY products to be incredibly fountain pen friendly and am doing my part to see them become more common in the United States. NOLTY paper comes in white and off-white variants, and while they are known for their planners, NOLTY notebooks are also excellent.
Stálogy. I love Stálogy’s 365-Day and Half-Year notebooks, which feature white paper and a light grey grid. While the paper is almost as thin as Tomoe River, it’s slightly more absorbent, resulting in shorter dry times that make it more “work friendly” for quick notes. (Several lefties I know love this paper.) Stàlogy used to be included in Tier 2, but from customer reports, they have resolved some issues with bleedthrough and I’ve now included them in “Tier 1”.
Rhodia. A sister company to Clairefontaine, Rhodia products have a different design aesthetic and the paper features a slightly different texture (i.e., many people find their paper slightly less slick than Clairefontaine and more absorbent, with quicker dry times).
Nebula Note. Fans of more textured paper will love Nebula Note, which is made by Korean ink company Colorverse. Designed to both showcase ink color and handle everyday use, the 90gsm Colorverse paper dries relatively quickly for how ink-friendly it is. The spiral notebooks also feature perforated pages, which are eminently useful for many of us in the professional world.

Shorthand Press Grid Paper Spiral Notebook

Tier Two

Outside of the first group of papers, many of which are specifically targeted to fountain pen users, you have to start to think a bit about how you intend to use the notebook. Personally, I would still consider most of the paper listed in this category as “fountain pen friendly” for my own purposes (i.e., writing with EF-Medium nibs and “practical” inks), but since you may experience spots of bleed-through and feathering if you push the paper, I don’t feel comfortable discussing them in the same context as the papers listed above.

Leuchtturm 1917. Having developed a reputation as a “Moleskine upgrade,” Leuchtturm has become a fixture not only at specialty stationery stores, but more mainstream retail outlets. Leuchtturm paper is quite usable with fountain pens but you may see slight “pinpoint” bleed-through with very wet nibs and inks.
Lamy. Last year Lamy released a series of notebooks featuring a unique take on combination lined-grid ruling, with textured paper that behaves similarly to Baron Fig and Leuchtturm. Since this paper is quite fibrous, it doesn’t bleed but has a tendency to feather with very wet pens.
Roterfaden. While known for their Taschenbegleiter organizers that are compatible with most standard size notebooks (A4, A5, and A6), Roterfaden also makes their own proprietary refills in a variety of rulings. I’d compare the paper quality to Leuchtturm and Lamy, in that it works fine with finer lines and drier inks. The biggest selling point of these notebooks is that they lie flat and work exceptionally well with the metal clips in the Taschenbegleiter.
Notsu. Notsu index cards should be considered “Tier One,” because they are frankly the best I’ve ever used and feature a wide variety of different formats. In addition to the index cards, Notsu also makes notebooks and notepads with thick dot grid paper that I enjoy because it’s textured and fairly absorbent, so it dries quickly. I debated whether to include the entire brand as Tier One, but I moved it to Tier Two because as they expand beyond the Index Cards I want to see whether the paper remains consistently fountain pen friendly throughout their entire product line.
Kokuyo (Standard Paper). I love Kokuyo’s “tall and skinny” hardcover pocket notebooks, and the micro-grid paper works well enough for any writing instrument I would consider as pocket carry, including extra-fine and fine nibs on my pocket fountain pens. You may see pinpoint bleed-through otherwise, depending on the ink.
Laconic. Laconic paper behaves similarly to Stálogy and Kokuyo in that it works fine with extra-fine and fine nibs but is targeted to the Japanese planner market, which relies heavily on fine-tipped gel pens (particularly the erasable Pilot Frixion). I personally can tolerate a small bit of show-through, and have no issues using the wide variety of Laconic refills for practical tasks.
Blackwing. I’ve been impressed with Blackwing’s standard offerings, particularly the paper in the Blackwing “Illegal Pad” writing pads. Note that the paper used in Blackwing products can vary across their special edition line, with some papers performing better than others, so I’ve placed them in Tier Two.
Shorthand Press. Los Angeles-based Shorthand Press has been around for years, and they’ve recently expanded their color range to include different covers and rulings. The paper has a vintage off-white tone, and will handle extra-fine through medium fountain pen nibs reasonably well, but may struggle with show-through and feathering with wetter inks and wider lines.

Tier Three

These are brands where you shouldn’t expect much compatibility with fountain pens, and if you purchase a notebook or notepad from one of these companies, you might see significant bleed-through and feathering. That’s not to say you can’t use fountain pens, I just wouldn’t expect to be able to use both sides of a page.

Moleskine. The ubiquitous black notebook that you see everywhere. If you’re a pencil or ballpoint lover, Moleskine has some great limited and special editions, but I’ve never had a good experience with any of their paper using a fountain pen, or even a rollerball.
Field Notes. While some of the special edition Field Notes pocket notebooks use thicker paper, Field Notes are relegated to pocket ballpoint territory in my own personal carry. That’s fine - it’s their intended purpose.
Doane Paper. One of my favorite paper rulings of all time (Doane’s signature Grid + Lines) is generally relegated to the ballpoint + gel pens + pencils rotation. While Doane paper handles fountain pen ink somewhat better than Field Notes, it’s best categorized in the same tier.
Appointed. I love the feel of Appointed’s textured, thick paper, as well as their linen stock covers, but since the paper is highly absorbent (presumably due to a higher cotton content found in U.S.-made paper), it can feather and bleed with wet fountain pens. While you can certainly get by with an extra-fine or fine nib, Appointed paper really shines with pencil, where its tactile feel pairs perfectly with graphite.
Any drugstore or big-box brand. Sure, occasionally you can find batches of very inexpensive imported composition or spiral notebooks made from sugarcane paper or another fountain pen compatible stock, but it likely won’t remain consistent from year-to-year and you may have to start your search over annually.

Missing Brands and Future Updates

Obviously I don’t have extensive experience with every paper brand out there, so I haven’t included many in this list and won’t do so until I’m comfortable discussing their performance with some degree of certainty. This rough guide therefore shouldn’t be read as “exclusive,” and I intend to add to it. Also, I’ve avoided commenting on small makers or boutique brands that can change their paper stock periodically. (I’m currently watching Endless, Anecdote and Levenger for this reason, but to date I’ve been impressed with their offerings. As I gain more experience with some of these and/or see that the products show consistency, I will consider adding them to this list.)

You will also note that Write Notepads has fallen off this list, due to the company pausing their consumer/retail line to focus on B2B sales and custom work. While I hope they return at some point in the future, I have not included them due to the lack of availability. Similarly, Baron Fig has fallen off the radar in recent years, but I still draw from my stockpile. I love the texture of the old Baron Fig paper, especially with pencils, but I can no longer speak to how the current stock handles fountain pens as I have not bought any in some time.

UPDATE: If you’re interested in how paper and notebooks are sized, check out this post comparing various popular sizes (i.e. A4 vs. A5 vs. A6).

All links are to Gentleman Stationer Reviews, the T.G.S. Curated Shop, or to my friends at Vanness Pens. This post does not contain affiliate links.