|
|
 |
 |
|
I've been looking forward to doing this review, as I really do enjoy this paper. As always, hope that this is useful. Enjoy!
Crane & Co.'s 100% cotton paper is currently my favorite stationary paper to use for writing letters (I like to pair it with one of Crane's equally high quality wasabi green or celadon blue envelopes, which I then seal with wax before mailing off to a snail mail buddy).
The paper combines two very important elements for me: It's environmentally friendly, being made of cotton waste instead of trees; and the quality of the paper is excellent. There's a reason Crane & Co. is a highly preferred brand among fountain pen users, and that is what we will explore today.
Each pad comes with 50 removable, high-quality sheets. The pad is gummed on top.
THE PAPER
The paper is a bit more cream-colored than the photo shows, but not by much. It's a very soothing ivory-cream color which is easy on the eyes, as opposed to glaring white -- however, this stationary also comes in pure white if you prefer that.
The measurements of the sheets are 6 3/8 x 8 1/2 inches.
This paper is not smooth like Clairefontaine or Rhodia paper is; it's textured, so there is some feedback when writing. Though I usually like to write on smooth papers, I must say that I enjoy the texture of this stationary: It feels nice under your fingers, a nice subtle texture that gives the paper elegance and character.
If you are a paper junkie, like me, you'll be able to understand/appreciate what I'm talking about; if you're not, I probably sound like a crazy person to you. Heh.
EDIT: A number of fine folk over on The Fountain Pen Network have pointed out that very fine nibs may get "caught" on the paper when writing. I'm assuming that this refers to fine nibs with dry flows only, as I've used wet fines and extra-fines and had no problems whatsoever :) You can see the thread here. Thanks to everyone who commented for your input!
THE INK TEST
So let's get to the good stuff, already. Check it out:
Beautiful. Not a hint of feathering anywhere at all, even with feathery inks like J. Herbin -- which is fantastic, because I can use my beloved J. Herbin Rouge Bourgogne ink (reviewed here) on this paper without it feathering like mad. Hooray!
Something to note, however: Though Crane's letter writing sheets are indeed fantastic on the front side, the back side of the paper is of slightly lower quality. Meaning, certain inks or wet-nibbed pens may feather slightly.
No matter what side you write on, however, the paper is adequately thick to ensure practically zero chance of bleedthrough.
PURCHASING CRANE & CO. ECRUWHITE KID FINISH LETTER SHEETS
This wonderful paper can be purchased at the Crane & Co. website, and any retailer that sells Crane & Co. products.
On the Crane website it is listed as costing $13 per pad (which come with 50 sheets).
CONCLUSION
The combination of high quality and eco-friendliness (more so the latter than the former, truth be told...I'm such a hippie...) makes me want to keep restocking on these once I run out. Unless I find some paper that is lower in cost but that matches this in terms of quality, this will be my go-to paper for letterwriting. Highly recommended.
Speaking of, you know what else this paper takes well? Besides fountain pen inks? Watercolor. Done very lightly of course, but that's still impressive. And why would I bring this up?
Well, stay tuned to find out!
4 Have Spoken | Speak | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend |
|
|
Yippee!
Ok, so here's the truth: I've been on something of a stationary-purchasing spree lately. Along with the Year in Japan Postcard Book and the Sushi-nery Mix and Match Stationary from the Chronicle Books website (Hey, they were having a huge sale!), I also purchased Shag Tiki stationary by Dark Horse from Things From Another World and goodies from Crane & Co.. I highly recommend heading over to their website, by the way; Crane & Co. is having a gigantic semi-annual sale, and I got awesome deals on what I purchased. Now, I purchased from Crane YESTERDAY, and they had a package for me on my doorstep by today! WOW!
( Photo-heavy -- click to view :-) )
EDIT: Holy sh*t, is today Paper Delivery Day, or something? Look what UPS just delivered!!
( Click for more yummy stationary goodness :D )
Paper heaven! Now I just have to behave and not buy ANY MORE STATIONARY FOR A LONG LONG TIME. At least not till I've exhausted all of these and a few homemade ones that have yet to go out, and that -- fortunately for my bank account -- will take a while.
7 Have Spoken | Speak | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend |
|
|
Aaaaaand here's the second half!
INTRO
The graph pad I received for review from Exaclair's Karen Doherty (who is an amazing person to work with, btw) is decidedly smaller than the lined one; however, I find myself eager to use it more -- both due to the smaller ruling (and y'all know I have a thing for small rulings...the more lines on the paper, after all, the more words I can fit! Very economical...plus I like to write small) and the nifty size (roughly "5 X "4.5) that fits nicely in my purse. However, the gridded pad comes in all sizes -- the one I happen to have is teeny tiny. In fact, I saw a whole Rhodia display at Paradise Pen the other day...and am kicking myself for not getting the full-size gridded pad! Yup, I'm in love.
CONSTRUCTION
What's nice is that even though the pads are different sizes, they all have what seems to be the same amount of pages inside. This is refreshing, as it keeps me from feeling cheated of paper just because I wanted to purchase a smaller size.
The back of the smaller pad is different than the back of the larger one:
No measurements here; just the facts. Don't know what the 5 X 5 is about, though.
Time for a size comparison:
How big is it really? Compared to a stack of Post-It notes.
Like I said, the perfect size (IMHO). I'm always on the lookout for pads that I can slip into my purse for jotting down notes/addresses/memos/etc, not to mention doodles when I'm bored, so this is wonderful.
While we're on the subject, I haven't tried Field Notes yet, though I would like to. I wonder what the Field Notes grids are like, sizewise, compared to the Rhodia pad pages?
Whoops....I'm getting ahead of myself. Sorry. ADHD, remember? ;)
Like its big brother, this pad sadly can only bend so far back, prohibiting you from really using the back of the pad (I stretch the pad out on the table, awkwardly, and write on the back anyway to keep from wasting paper):
The paper is perforated on top for easy removal (unlike Red n' Black notebooks), while still being attached well enough to keep from accidentally ripping off (unlike Mead 5-star notebooks).
PAPER
The paper in this one is gridded. I believe that this is the original paper format of the Rhodia pads, since the lined one was marked as lined, while this one wasn't marked with anything at all. The lines are blue, and slightly darker than I'd like. It would be really nice if the lines were a pale grey like the Aplca notebooks are.....then it would be perfect. Oh well.
The gridded paper. The lines are definitely darker than what you see here.
The spacing between the lines, I think, is excellent. Here's a shot comparing the gridded paper to the lined one. As you can see, the spaces on the lined pad are wider than the ones on the grid, which makes sense. Check it out:
Lined VS gridded.
A close-up of the lined pad VS the gridded one.
I didn't bother doing a pen-ink test of the paper, since it's exactly the same caliber as the paper reviewed previously. Same exact paper, just...gridded, instead of lined. Instead, here's a link to the Rhodia (lined) Pad review, where you can check to see how well the paper fared against various writing instruments. To be honest, though, I think that if it can stand up to FP ink, it can probably stand up to most anything else (with the exclusion of Sharpies, naturally), since FP ink is the "problem child" of the stationary world, so far as paper compatibility is concerned (I say this with the utmost affection, of course).
PURCHASING RHODIA PADS
Rhodia pads can be found just about anywhere:
They're available at Borders bookstores;
at Pear Tree Pens
at SwisherPens
at Pendamonium
at Dick Blick
at The Daily Planner
at The Journal Store
Basically, many places that sell journals/stationary/paper are bound to have it, including your local art supply/stationary store. And you can bet that any fine writing store (whether online or brick & mortar) worth its salt will be carrying it.
CONCLUSION:
Probably the only two things that would improve these things are lighter, more subtle gridlines and some way to be able to write on both sides of the paper without turning the pad into a spiral-bound (don't ask me how, I'm no notebook engineer...). And, wouldn't an inner pocket be nice (sort of like Moleskines have) for stashing loose notes and such? I would also suggest a slightly heavier/stiffer cover since over time, the front cover will bend up like so:
However, I'll be the first to admit that these are all minor, nitpicky points, the latter of which can be fixed with a rubber band to keep the cover snugly against the pad. These small Rhodia pads are fantastic for on-the-go sketches, notetaking, whatever. I think that these will be my on-the-go memo pads of choice, at least until I try the much-raved-about Field Notes :P
As for the larger gridded Rhodia pads, I recommend them wholeheartedly to any artist or architect who wants a good gridded pad to jot down notes/ideas. This is definitely good paper that won't rip or fall apart on you. It's a bit pricier than your average, run-of-the-mill gridded pad, but it's also a great deal better in quality.
In a nutshell, these are hands down the best gridded pads I've ever used, and I strongly feel that they are an excellent investment to make for any artist/architect who's sick of bleedthrough and wants good quality paper to work with. I will certainly be purchasing more of these in the future. Highly recommended!
:)
Upcoming:
Rhodia pencil
Diamine new Spring 2009 inks:
-Pumpkin
-Majestic Blue
-Onyx Black
-Poppy Red
-Chocolate Brown
3 Have Spoken | Speak | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend |
Well, here we are! The Rhodia review I've been yapping about. I'm going to be out of state (MD) for a karate tournament/get-together this weekend, so expect no new posts till Sunday evening at the earliest, Monday evening by the latest (hopefully).
Leaving super early tomorrow morning -- have a good weekend, all!
Since there are a lot of photos, I'm putting the review behind an LJ cut:
( Click here to read the review )
Upcoming:
Rhodia review, pt 2 (gridded)
Rhodia pencil
Diamine ink (Spring 2009 series): Pumpkin, Majestic Blue, Onyx Black
1 Has Spoken | Speak | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend |
Y'know, I would have posted this earlier, except working for 9 hours (yesterday) tends to exhaust one to the point of being a vegetable most of the next day ;)
So! Here's the deal. I have 5 pads of the eco-friendly sugarcane bagasse paper from Staples to give away (reviewed here). To enter, simply comment and tell us your favorite eco-friendly writing/art-related instrument or medium (eg: paper, paints, brushes, inks, pens, etc). People without blogs or Livejournals are able to comment as well.
Explain why it's your favorite. Finally, leave your name/alias. The winner will be chosen from a RANDOM DRAWING of all those who entered, so don't worry if someone suggested the same item that you did.
The contest ends Sunday, June 14th, at noon.
The winners will be announced via a blog entry after the contest ends.
GOOD LUCK. :)
19 Have Spoken | Speak | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend |
For those of you who don't know, Staples is an office supply store here in the US :-)
( STAPLES SUGARCANE BAGASSE PAPER )
Finally, keep your eyes peeled, because in an upcoming contest 5 lucky Damaged Goods readers will score a free bagasse pad.
Upcoming:
Staples Bagasse Giveaway
Cool/creative snail mail
Lami Lokta paper
2 Have Spoken | Speak | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend |
INTRO
Apica has (currently) got to be, hands down, my favorite notebook brand. Ever. This Japanese notebook has helped me -- a diehard spiral-bound user -- to not only appreciate non-spiral notebooks, but even prefer them in some cases! As you'll see later in the review, the Japanese have somehow managed to streamline a notebook. Super affordable, lightweight, excellent smooth paper....what's not to like?
( Lots of photos, so it's behind the cut :) )
2 Have Spoken | Speak | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend |
|
|
|
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
accomplished
happy paper geek
satisfied
tired