This week I'm back to a themed topic, The Trifecta: Pen, Ink, and Paper. I specifically wanted to discuss how the three interact and influence each other as a part of the overall writing experience. I got a slew of great questions, and was glad to answer as many of them as I could. This is a really rich topic, and I made sure to give it justice by taking as much time to explain my thoughts as I felt I needed. So sit back and get ready for a long one here!
I realize that the video hangs up around 40:13, I think it was a problem with YouTube's processing the video. I will look to re-upload it but I'm not able to do that for a couple of days. I'm so sorry!
1) @PeppWaves03- Twitter (3:14):
Why does paper affect fp pens more so than rollerballs?
FP101- How Does A Fountain Pen Work?
Ballpoint- paste ink
Rollerball- gel ink
Fountain pen ink- water
all about viscosity
2) Myke N.-Facebook (4:44):
Goulet Pens has the package sets from specific employees for sale. What is it about those sets that the individual likes about them to make it their 'Daily Carry"? What are their reason for carrying them? (And if possible, maybe they could tell us in the video?)
apology for not bringing anyone in
personal experience
everyone here gets a pen
free samples
admins write notes a LOT
everyone tests each other's stuff
3) AJ Rosati- YouTube (7:09):
What pen or pens, ink, and notebook do you carry and use daily? I know I always have a custom 74, lamy 2000, and lamy al star with me. The only ink I always have is diamine syrah in my al star the other two change a great deal. Notebooks is always a midori passport size.
Ink Nouveau: Brian Goulet's Top 3 Daily Carry Fountain Pens
Pilot Custom 74
Lamy 2000
Pilot Metropolitan
Jinhao X750
Delta Fusion 82, blue
Noodler's Black
Noodler's Liberty's Elysium
Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-Peki
Diamine Red Dragon
Noodler's Apache Sunset
Midori Traveler's Notebook Passport
Clairefontaine top-wirebound
Rhodia No. 16 dotpad
4) Joshua P.- Facebook (11:23):
I'd like to start a daily journal. What pen/ink/paper should I consider? More specifically, what notebook should I use that will last a long time and doesn't let ink show on the reverse side? What ink should I consider or stay away from? Should I use or stay away from a pen that lays down ink "really wet"?
Clairefontaine Basic/wirebound
French-ruled
Habana, Webbie
HP LaserJet/Premium
No limitations on ink
Use whatever pen you want!
consistency
5) Pascal D.- Facebook (14:27):
Nice Rhodia fp friendly paper is cool for letters and hobbies. Nice feel, no bleed through, etc. you know. Is there an office paper* and ink combo you'd recommend (with minimal bleed/feather and drying time) ? I guess we can just try and with time we'll see.. But if you already have suggestions, it could save time and ink smears/ transfers.. *as we probably won't have access to same paper brands, what weight, brightness, characteristics should we look for?
HP 24lb LaserJet
Look for 'laser printer' paper, not inkjet
you get what you pay for, $10+/ream and up
6) Carlos Q.- Facebook (17:21):
Why Rhodia Paper is considered “better” than Clairfontaine paper when writing with fountain pens? Both papers are produced by the same company… there is a difference in price and definitely there is a difference when writing. I use the same pen and the same ink (Lamy 2000 with Diamine Forrest Green) and the difference is huge when writing on both notebooks… why is this? Both papers are ink resistant and high quality…
Preference
Rhodia is 80g, slightly less slick
CF dry time is usually a bit longer
Dots!!
Depends on use, format- Rhodia is better for tablets
7) Kevin L.- Facebook (20:32):
Here is a mystery for the Goulet Q&A to contemplate. Is there any explanation when using the same paper and ink but different pens, of diferent manufacturers, that the ink color can vary from the color on the bottle to darker shades of the same color?
Flow
Nib size makes a huge difference
All about ink volume
Some inks vary more than others, typically called "shading"
8) John N.- Facebook (23:06):
Why are brown inks more prone to feathering in pens on any paper? Give it a try with Noodler's Polar Brown.
Not sure if that's a universal truth
Polar Brown, yeah
dye components vary from color to color
some colors may act differently than others, chemically
9) Sherah E.- Facebook (25:42):
Pen, paper, ink. In your opinion, which is the most important of the three? Which is the least important of the three? And why?
Car- engine, gasoline, tires?
Pen- what everyone perceives as the most important
Ink- easiest to change, most mystical
Paper- most overlooked, like a "road"
10) Jamie M.- Facebook (33:55):
What papers are best for wetter pens/inks in order to have it bleed less and keep it at it's thinnest "line" possible. (Can't think if there's a better word than line there.)
Start by looking at weight/gsm
not always a great indicator
slick stuff- CF, Rhodia, and others
European (French, UK) and Japanese make some of the best
look for reviews online
11) Adam T.- Facebook (38:50):
What trifecta combo would you recommend for small, ultra-portable daily note taking and other ordinary tasks (as opposed to journaling or letter writing, which are usually planned in advance), preferably able to fit in a normal pocket?
Pens- Kaweco, MV Poquito, Pilot Stargazer
Paper- Field Notes, Rhodia side-staplebound (R119158/9), Midori Traveler's Notebook Passport
Ink- Dang near anything, quicker drying usually better: Iroshizuku, conventional (non-permanent) inks
12) joaan787- YouTube (42:33):
What's a good combination of pen, paper, ink if I will be mixing drawings with text. The drawings would be towards the technical side like architectural details, maps and so on. Will most decent combos do or are there better or worse combinations?
Platinum Carbon Black!
Permanent inks, pigmented work best
Jamie Grossman, HusdonValleySketches blog
13) Sarah S.- Facebook (43:48):
I use Clairefontaine paper. I use Noodlers polar blue and sailor sky high. In a fine pilot nib, polar blue feathers, but the sky high doesn't. Why?
Permanent dye components
Lubrication properties, writes wetter
14) Chris P.- Facebook (44:47):
When I use stub nibs with Crane (cotton) paper, the ink flow often breaks up. Why is this, and is there a way to keep this from happening?
Paper fibers in nib
watch for writing pressure
floss tines with brass sheet
Ink choice? Try different inks, stick with what works better
Absorbency- paper might be sucking up more ink than the pen's feed can deliver (try a wetter ink)
15) @gilmour70- Twitter (47:29):What are some inks that dry quickly (and won't smear when dry) on smooth paper (e.g., Rhodia)?
Most Iroshizuku & Edelstein, Herbin, many Diamine & De Atramentis
Less saturated the better
Non-permanent inks usually work better
Pigmented inks
16) Beatriz F.- Facebook (49:37):
Hi Brian, I would like to know if, when I do my pen maintenance, I should use hot or cold water? I am not saying boiling water (100ºC / 212ºF), but some warm one, like 50ºC / 122ºF. I am asking because I think heated water should be better to dissolve some dried ink, and to do a better cleaning in overall. But, of course, I am worried if the warm water will damage the pen. So, what do you think? Could you enlighten me?
Always recommended to use lukewarm water, for warranty's sake
warm water will clean better
use your own judgement
17) @TheNomadSteve- Twitter (51:43):
Maybe types of paper beyond the typical Claire/Rhodia stuff. Cotton,Sketching paper? How are these w/FPs, inks?
Stillman & Birn
CF Grafit sketchpads
Midori sketch paper
Staples?
Moleskine?
Leuchtturm?
18) Lynnette L.- Facebook (53:39):
I love flex nibs. I love inks that show variance in their color(s). I love paper that doesn't feather/ bleed. Is there are a way to combine these loves?
Clairefontaine (Triomphe)
Rhodia Premium
Sketchbook paper (Stillman & Birn)
Noodler's Apache Sunset
Diamine Majestic Blue
Noodler's Black Swan in Australian Roses
19) @Aleen- Twitter (55:25):
My ink won't dry on my favorite paper--a Rhodia dot pad, tried Noodler's & Private Reserve Any Rhodia-appropriate recs?
dilute it
blotter paper
switch brands
Thanks to everyone for all of the great questions! I appreciate you watching this week, and be sure to leave me any questions you have in the comments below. Next week I'll open it up again with an Open Forum, so you can ask me whatever you want about the fountain pen hobby. If you've missed any previous Q&A's, be sure to check out my catalog here. Have a great week!
Write On,
Brian Goulet