Best type of paper

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.

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.

Jamesaritchie said:

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.

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There is no Wal*Mart in Denmark.

Medievalist said:

There is no Wal*Mart in Denmark.

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Not even online?

Jamesaritchie said:

...but any stationery store ...

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

Shadow_Ferret said:

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

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That's because we have WalMart

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).