Introduction:
Let's meet our competitors:
- Rhodia- Arguably the most accessible brand I'll be comparing is Rhodia as they are available in an abundance of different types of stores, I've even seen them available in art stores and craft stores. The Rhodia brand offers a wide variety of sizes on 80 gsm paper and sometimes even 90 gsm paper however the 80 gsm seems to be more common. In 1997 Rhodia was purchased by Clairfontaine (another brand I'll be comparing later on) but some of the founder's family stayed on with the brand after this purchase, all Rhodia pads are made in France just like in 1932 when the brand was founded and still known as the Verilhac Brothers.
- Clairefontaine- Another staple of French paper manufacturing is Clairefontaine who, as I mentioned earlier, acquired Rhodia relatively recently in 1997. Clairefontaine has been making paper in France for over 150 years and actually started their production in 1858. Unlike Rhodia, Clairefontaine is primarily offered in 90 gsm paper this means it will be a tiny bit heavier than the Rhodia paper. The paper comes in a couple different sizes but not as many unique sizes that a company like Rhodia provides, more of the usual spiral bound or cloth bound sizes.
- Montblanc- Next we have a company that really needs no introduction, whether you are just starting your journey into the fountain pen hobby or are a seasoned veteran, you've heard of Montblanc. Arguably the most famous pen company in the world, Montblanc not only makes pens but also makes notebooks that are leather bound with 85 gsm paper sheets. While they are more expensive, these notebooks aren't really meant for everyday note taking, in my mind they are meant for something like journaling or an activity that you want to keep a record of due to the high build quality and high end materials.
- Tomoe River- If you ask any fountain pen user their favorite type of paper there's a fairly good chance they'll answer with Tomoe River paper. Tomoe River paper used to be quite hard to get with only 1 or 2 vendors in the United States having it but is now widely coveted and available in the United States. The paper is unusually thin for fountain pen paper and is offered in 52 gsm and 68 gsm which are also relatively low for fountain pen paper. Despite the thin profile of each sheet, it handles fountain pens beautifully and really stands out amongst other brands due to the uniqueness of the product at hand. PenBoutique carries the Sakae Technical version of the loose sheets in A4 size in both plain and dot grid. It also comes in a pad or cloth bound notebook closer to an A5 size. This paper's lightweight feel isn't for everyone and some people opt for a thicker paper which is understandable because it takes some getting used to if you are used to writing on higher gsm papers.
- Mnemosyne- Like Tomoe River paper, Mnemosyne is also a Japanese brand that offers exceptional experience while writing with a fountain pen. The paper is manufactured by Maruman and comes spiral bound in a variety of sizes and paper types including grid, plain and lined, the paper's weight is 80 gsm. This is a particularly good line of products for students and business people because each page has a dedicated space for a title and date making it good for taking notes in class or a meeting. The Maruman brand has been in the business for over 90 years and their dedication to the quality of their product is reflected in this fact.
- Write Notepads- the last brand that will be included in this comparison is a local company from Baltimore that makes quality notebooks out of environmentally friendly materials like vegetable based dyes, premium cover stock and 110 gsm paper. The heavy paper makes these notebooks a good option for drawing as well as note taking. Most of their offerings are spiral bound but they also have a classic hardcover version of a notebook as well. The brand is an off shoot of a book binding company and their three generations of expertise in the subject shine through in the quality and craftsmanship of their notebooks.
Putting Them to the Test:
Show through/Ghosting:
Brands |
Show-Through |
Feathering |
Dry-Time |
Paper Texture |
Price |
Rhodia |
Low |
|
|
|
|
Clairfontaine |
Medium |
|
|
|
|
Montblanc |
High |
|
|
|
|
Tomoe River |
High |
|
|
|
|
Mnemosyne |
Low |
|
|
|
|
Write Notepads |
Low |
|
|
|
|
Feathering:
Brands |
Show-Through |
Feathering |
Dry-Time |
Paper Texture |
Price |
Rhodia |
Low |
light |
|
|
|
Clairfontaine |
Medium |
light |
|
|
|
Montblanc |
High |
light |
|
|
|
Tomoe River |
High |
light |
|
|
|
Mnemosyne |
Low |
light |
|
|
|
Write Notepads |
Low |
light |
|
|
|
Dry Time:
Brands |
Show-Through |
Feathering |
Dry-Time |
Paper Texture |
Price |
Rhodia |
Low |
light |
medium |
|
|
Clairfontaine |
Medium |
light |
low |
|
|
Montblanc |
High |
light |
low |
|
|
Tomoe River |
High |
light |
medium |
|
|
Mnemosyne |
Low |
light |
low |
|
|
Write Notepads |
Low |
light |
low |
|
|
Paper Texture:
Brands |
Show-Through |
Feathering |
Dry-Time |
Paper Texture |
Price |
Rhodia |
Low |
light |
medium |
80-90 gsm / smooth |
|
Clairfontaine |
Medium |
light |
low |
90 gsm / smooth |
|
Montblanc |
High |
light |
low |
85 gsm / smooth |
|
Tomoe River |
High |
light |
medium |
52-68 gsm / smooth but thin |
|
Mnemosyne |
Low |
light |
low |
80 gsm / smooth |
|
Write Notepads |
Low |
light |
low |
110 gsm / very smooth |
|
Price $-$$$:
Brands |
Show-Through |
Feathering |
Dry-Time |
Paper Texture |
Price |
Rhodia |
Low |
light |
medium |
80-90 gsm / smooth |
$1.60-25.95 |
Clairfontaine |
Medium |
light |
low |
90 gsm / smooth |
$3.95-$12.00 |
Montblanc |
High |
light |
low |
85 gsm / smooth |
$44-$140 |
Tomoe River |
High |
light |
medium |
52-68 gsm / smooth but thin |
$11.40-$29.00 |
Mnemosyne |
Low |
light |
low |
80 gsm / smooth |
$6.80-$15.00 |
Write Notepads |
Low |
light |
low |
110 gsm / very smooth |
$8.99-$24.00 |
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