source for good quality paper?

[johngalt]

Just wondering if there is any source for good paper left. For a number of years now, all of the US made paper, whether in notebooks or loose-leaf, has such high recycled content that the quality is deplorable. The last time I moved, I found some notebooks from my old college days. They were just whatever cheap notebooks were available in the day, and the paper quality is far higher than new today.

I check the 'Made In' labels when I buy, and get Brazil when I can find it, which isn't often. I've read that Japan has some high quality reasonably priced paper, but have never seen any. The 'Made In USA' notebooks are probably the lowest quality on the shelf.

32# printer paper is way too heavy and thick. And even with the heavy weight, it still barely compares to the paper of the past.

 

[pawngal]

To me, paper is paper, but what about either of these?

[ame="https://www.amazon.com/Southworth-Cotton-Business-Finish-404C/dp/B00006IE2J/ref=pd_vtp_229_1/132-2439576-4240729?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00006IE2J&pd_rd_r=99d51fd3-dabd-41d9-bf67-cfc1498c1efc&pd_rd_w=Y0kwo&pd_rd_wg=Savy5&pf_rd_p=cbf7992b-356b-4c7c-b269-51e599af593a&pf_rd_r=B0VRTPZHPZD745RJTECZ&psc=1&refRID=B0VRTPZHPZD745RJTECZ"]Amazon.com : Southworth 25% Cotton Business Paper, 8.5" x 11", 24 lb/90 GSM, Wove Finish, White, 500 Sheets - Packaging May Vary (404C) : Southworth White Busines Paper : Office Products[/ame]

[ame="https://www.amazon.com/Southworth-algod%C3%B3n-R%C3%A9sum%C3%A9-libras-unidades/dp/B000083E4G/ref=pd_vtp_229_5/132-2439576-4240729?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000083E4G&pd_rd_r=a9cc552e-754d-4544-a186-1ab8bf8dddb2&pd_rd_w=BYf1v&pd_rd_wg=pkkkW&pf_rd_p=cbf7992b-356b-4c7c-b269-51e599af593a&pf_rd_r=DCYYFW2GGKZEGVXS2KK2&psc=1&refRID=DCYYFW2GGKZEGVXS2KK2"]Amazon.com : Southworth 100% Cotton Resume Paper, 8.5” x 11", 24 lb/90 gsm, Wove Finish, White, 100 Sheets - Packaging May Vary (R14CF) (SOUR14CF) : Multipurpose Paper : Office Products[/ame]

 

[johngalt]

To me, paper is paper, but what about either of these?
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Those are all far too heavy. Back in the day, before the recycled paper craze, you could get thin, light paper where a pen didn't bleed like a sharpie when writing on it.

 

[Onomea]

If you know what you are looking for you can probably find it on Amazon. Here is one of the vendors that sells there: Resume Paper, Business Paper, Social Stationery, Templates I bet if you called them up and explained what you wanted, if they don’t sell it they probably know who does.

Or, do you mean the paper we used to use for sending international airmail letters? Onion skin? Lightweight so as to keep the postage cheap? On Amazon look for “airmail paper.”

 

[TripLeader]

Have you looked into Dunder Mifflin, based out of Scranton, PA?

Worth a call. Ask for Dwight.

 

[JH1951]

Search for "rag content paper" or "cotton rag content" (rag content indicates the % of cotton rag in the paper composition).
Look for 25% rag, 50%, or the best, 100%. The higher the cotton percentage, the (generally) better the quality of the paper. Paper 'weight' is also a major consideration. Generally speaking, a 24lb bond paper is somewhat more substantial than a 20lb bond when we are discussing bond paper for copiers or letterhead.
For general decent quality I like 24lb, 50% bond. It's a decent rag content with a good texture and a bit of substance to the sheet.
For printing stuff I don't care about, I use 20lb copier paper - basically the bottom of the pile for quality, but it sure works. It generally has no 'grain' and does not resist the pushes & pulls of feeding thru a cheap printer (reducing jams).
Paper classifications are not a simple topic by any measure. Books have been written on the topic I'm sure.
The paper we get as run of the mill today is largely recycled. Decades ago recycling wasn't the industry that it is today. Better and best quality stuff is still available, but it will cost more. It will also 'feel' better to your touch. Be aware that it may not perform better in a common printer on your desk, as the higher the rag content, the less smooth your paper may be (and the more 'grain' it may/may not have). I hope this helps and doesn't confuse the issue. Getting in to 'depth' on this can warp a mind that really just wants a simple question answered.
(My father and grandfather were printers, so some of their knowledge must have rubbed off.)

 

[S42N8]

Rhodia. Quality stuff. Not cheap, but worth it. For loose leaf, the Neenah 24lb works nicely. Amazon carries both.

 

[Rpg]

I buy the paper I use here:

The Goulet Pen Company

 

[Onomea]

That’s a neat site, RPG.

 

[Rpg]

Mom and pop store.

They’re happy to talk to you on the phone, although I expect they’ll be swamped when they reopen.

 

[chiefbob81]

Zig Zag works for me.

 

[Warren Sear]

Have you looked into Dunder Mifflin, based out of Scranton, PA?

Worth a call. Ask for Dwight.

That's what SHE said!

 

[crankyoldlady]

I buy the paper I use here:

The Goulet Pen Company

Paper quality is a huge issue for those of us using fountain pens.

 

[Ogandydancer]

The paper I use for my Brother laser printer all seems to want to curl a little. Although the place I buy mine does not have the same brands they used to.

 

[johngalt]

Paper quality is a huge issue for those of us using fountain pens.

That is exactly the problem I'm having. Just about every notebook paper I've tried bleeds through and it looks like I've been writing with a sharpie.

Staples used to have made in Brazil notebooks made from sugar cane waste that weren't too bad. I haven't seen those in a while.

Walmart used to have made in Brazil bound and hole-punched notebooks that were decent, I haven't seen those in a while either.

 

[johngalt]

I buy the paper I use here:

The Goulet Pen Company

That's where I buy my ink. Great store!

They have Rhodia paper, but is way too expensive to use for general note taking. Notebook/binder filler paper used to be good enough that ink didn't bleed through. Now it is barely above newspaper quality.

 

[oldbrownhat]

Paper quality is a huge issue for those of us using fountain pens.

Fountain pens?? You mean you don't cut your own quills?

I actually used to, back when I dabbled in calligraphy and learned to prepare turkey quills, although I mostly used steel nibs. Never had the pleasure of working on genuine vellum (ie sheepskin, not stationery-store "vellum") but there were and probably still are, some very fine papers which took liquid ink very well. I think there used to be an exceptional art store in Seattle where you could also get raw pigments for making inks and paints.

Back on topic, though, I find the problem most frequently on greeting cards and envelopes.

And it not just a chore to find decent paper, even good pencils seem to be rare. Many don't sharpen well and have "dead" spots where presumably the clay in the graphite mixture has not been evenly distributed.

Must run. Have to empty out the chamber pots, sharpen some flints and grab the old smokepole so I can bag some breakfast from the back forty.

 

[Bugkiller99]

Oh, never mind. I came in thinking this was thread about TP.

 

[rkittine]

There are still many supplies of Higher Quality writing papers. You just have to be willing to pay for it and not expect it to be available at Office Depot, Staples or Best Buy. Go to a good Stationary Shop.

 

[boatme99]

I would think any decent stationary store would take care of your needs.
A city the size of St. Paul should have a few good stores.