Best type of paper

[Drudoo]

Im not sure if this is the right forum, but it is kinda a tech help question :)

Im using Scrivener to write my stories in but sometimes i like to write on paper for a change. Last month i got an awesome dip pen but i have huge problems finding the right paper. Normal paper for a printer just doesn't suck the ink good enough.
Does anyone know if you can buy some good paper on amazon or somewhere else online (need to ship internationally) because all the book/paper stores in my town don't have anything.

- Drudoo

[Medievalist]

You need to have 24 LB paper, at a minimum.

It must not have a glossy or shiny finish.

It's pretty expensive, but you can find it at most paper stores.

I suggest going to a paper store, or to a store specializing in printing things like wedding invitations, or an art supply store.

Ask for a couple of sample sheets--offer to pay for them, and explain that you're looking for paper that will work well with a dip pen.

I'm assuming from your profile that you're still in Denmark.

Also, if you're using a dip pen, you might want to keep a clean dry soft cloth (like a worn to threads old t-shirt) to wipe the excess ink off.

[Jamesaritchie]

I use both dip pens and fountain pens regularly. Wal*Mart has very good paper for dip pens, but any stationery story should have it in stock. The best paper has a smooth surface, silk finish is very good, a high rag content, and should be at least 32lb.

You can also order it online from many outlets. It's often easier to find if you look for fountain pen paper, rather than dip pen paper. Same stuff, but fountains pens are much more common than dip pens.

[Drudoo]

Thanks for the replies. My biggest problem is that the paper stores in my site dont have anything like this. Already asked 3-4 stores. I will try to look around for some art / printing stores.

[Medievalist]

I use both dip pens and fountain pens regularly. Wal*Mart has very good paper for dip pens, but any stationery story should have it in stock.

There is no Wal*Mart in Denmark.

[Drudoo]

yeah no wal mart for me =( but i went to the three paper/art/book shops in my town and none of them had any paper for it. But i found a moleskine sketchbook which i bought. It is 160 g/m2 and it suck the ink quite good. There is a few threads from the ink, but nothing like normal paper =) The bad thing is that the book was ~$45 but for now i think i will use that =)

Thanks for all the good replies.

[Jamesaritchie]

There is no Wal*Mart in Denmark.

Not even online?

[Drudoo]

Nope, we have to live without =(

[Shadow_Ferret]

...but any stationery store ...

You still have stationery stores where you are? Most of our specialty stores like that, like Pen and Pad, closed ages ago.

[Matera the Mad]

You still have stationery stores where you are? Most of our specialty stores like that, like Pen and Pad, closed ages ago.
That's because we have WalMart

[JemmaP]

For writing with fountain pen or dip pen & ink, I recommend Clairefontaine products -- http://www.exaclair.com/brands_clairefontaine.shtml -- they aren't typically super expensive, they're made in France and should be relatively easy to find in Europe, and they handle ink very well. Good friend of mine wrote an entire novel longhand with fountain pens in Clairefontaine books and it worked nicely.

For those in the Seattle area with stationery needs, I highly recommend the University Bookstore Supply Department, down in the basement at the main location. I used to work there, and it's pretty much heaven for the pen & ink set. :) They do mail order, but their mail catalog is just standard office supply stuff -- if you're looking for something specific, though, you can certainly give them a call and ask if they stock it. They can and will mail pretty much anything in the shop if they've got it. (I once filled a phone order for 6 #2 Ticonderoga pencils, total with tax $2.15, free local shipping within King County).