IMHO this is the ultimate paper for pen weirdo... I mean for us! Probably just like everyone I used whatever I could get my hands on over the years, but every time I came back to Midori in this format, I was like 'whoever needs anything else'? If you haven't tried this paper, treat yourself to one of those notebooks. Also it doen't cost and arm and leg, which helps.
This is actually my #1 choice for writing rough drafts. The feel of the scritch on the paper is just perfection for me. I like TRP, of course, but I save it for letter writing. The notebooks typically have so many pages it's hard to get the satisfaction of completing a notebook and it can't handle my hand oils.
These notebooks in the B6 slim format with the grid lay out are my favourite notebooks. Midori's B6 slim is the same width as an A6, so they are ideal for throwing in my purse.
Aesthetic paper. I love it. I’d buy this over and again, but…before I got in to fountain pens I just used cheap paper & ballpoints like the majority of the world. I thought about careful forest management, I’m from Maine after all, where practices lead the industry. I once even sold fine papers to print shops back in the 90’s. But I never thought about exactly what impact paper making has on the planet. Since loving fountain pens the past couple years, I wanted to learn more about it, to test it with my pens and inks. Then I really thought through how my paper love could prop up companies who are harming the environment with over harvesting, causing erosion by harvesting on mountainsides, leaving chemicals in the water table because the water isn’t cleaned before it’s return to the environment, or just burning oil to get pulp where it doesn’t grow, and then shipping the paper everywhere on the planet again, as is the case with Japanese papers. So I’ve had to rethink my paper use and set goals about what kind of writing is paper worthy, and if it is, what suits my needs from climate pledged companies. Midori doesn’t list anything on their website and the retailers I’ve asked haven’t been given any information on their practices either. I want to use their paper very much, but when my supply is gone, I won’t be repurchasing until they address this issue for the American market. Kinda bummed in the mean time. Thanks for the review. You did it justice!
Thank you for the input on this side of the topic! I haven't really thought about this before. Can you recommend any (International) brands, that produce sustainable and fountain pen friendly paper?
MD notebooks are my very favourite. I love the tactile pleasure of my hubs in this paper. I love the colour of it. I love the aesthetics. Love it. Sometime try the MD Cotton… not to be missed :)
I'm one of those who loves the toothy papers. This is one of my favorites. One of the distinguishing features is that the paper is a little "crispier" or harder, which makes it it different than some papers that "drape" over your hand because they are much softer. I tend to like the harder papers a little more I think. Masuya Monokaki notebooks also have toothy, thin, delicious paper that is hard.
Great review; and I have one in the queue for my journal. I understand, support, and encourage you maintaining your privacy with your personal journal; but, the inadvertent glimpses you have shown lead me to think that we all would be happy to see examples of your extended writing. Edifying quotes from your reading. That sort of thing. You offer more than you may know.
I like midori notebooks but I agree with your conclusions. Still sometimes some inks reveal something unexpected thanks to these notebooks, like a violet shade hiding in the monteverde copper noir. Liked the video, thanks!
I've been really enjoying the Midori MD paper in the plain A6 size. I like the toothyness of the paper since I'm not used to the smoothness of Rhodia paper. I typically use extra fine nibs and switch between gel, ballpoint, and pencil a lot. So far this has been my preferred all around paper. How does this compare with the Life Noble notebook? I know it's been a bit since you've done that review but I would like to know if you had a preference between the two.
