When I first started reviewing, I didn't expect to be analysing so much paper! In fact, I didn't think you could really review paper at all. It's all quite similar - flat. White. (Mmmm, flat white, makes me want a coffee).
Anyway, as my new hobby... fine - obesession, grew, I learnt that there are huge differences between brands and types of papers, and these differences have a huge impact on your choice of pen or pencil. More fibrous papers (such as recycled paper) won't take fountain pen ink well, yet you can get toothy papers that work just fine. On the other end of the spetrum you have ultra-smooth papers like the old Tomoe River, that takes almost any ink beautifully but extends dry time for your writing.
Today, I'm reviewing the former - a special writing set made from the inner bark of the lokta bush, which grows at high altitudes in the country where the paper is made, Nepal. It is crafted from scratch by artisans, and since no electricity or additives are used in production, the process is very eco-friendly. Only the bark of the bush is used and it regenerates over time, so no plants are destroyed either!
You probably came here for a review, not a paper lecture, so check out Pen Boutique for more info and I'll get to testing the paper!
The case that the writing set comes in is made out of paper, with some dyed fibres added to create a colourful and attractive effect. it is fastened with a simple piece of wood pushed through a loop. When you undo the loop, two pockets are revealed and you can see both the envelopes and sheets of paper.
It's probably the most interesting paper I've ever used. It has an odd suppleness to it, rather like a stiff fabric. Lokta paper is also quite soft and each of the twenty sheets are different - some are thicker or thinner than others, some are smoother or rougher. I'm a a crafter and appreciate the individuality of each sheet, as you can tell that it has been made by human hands and not an impersonal machine.
Since lokta paper is very textured, I didn't expect to be able to use many pens on it. I certainly didn't think I'd be able to use a fountain pen on it, but I was pleasantly surprised.
A broad nib with wet ink bled and feathered, but not beyond reading. A fine nib with drier ink yielded much better results, without feathering, and only very little bleeding.
Ballpoint fared well, as did fineliners and highlighter. A fine nib fountain pen with wet ink feathered a little and bled, but it is still perfectly legible. Coloured pencil and graphite are fine with the odd texture, but they did feather.
Just messing with you! No, you haven't woken up in an alternate universe where pencils feather. The pencil lines are, in fact, perfectly crisp.
Zig Dot markers are not compatible with lokta paper. The ink didn't feather so much as balloon. Apart from highlighters, I'd avoid using markers! Stub nib fountain pens are okay though, you just have to use a drier ink (Diamine should work). A bronze metallic fineliner worked well, as did the three gel pens I tried.
Overall, the paper performed much better than I expected it to. It even feels nice to write on thanks to the pleasantly toothy surface.
The envelopes are ade of the same paper as the sheets, and lack any kind of adhesive so you'll want to use tape to seal them. Or you could use wax if you want to make your letter a bit more special!
Monk Paper have produced a very unique and eco-friendly paper that performs surprisingly well. It won't work with every writing instrument, but it will accept a lot of what you throw at it and takes your letters to the next level!
If you want to try this paper for yourself, it is available at Pen Boutique: https://www.penboutique.com/pages/search-results-page?q=monk%20papers
Disclaimer: Pen Boutique provided this product for review purposes. All opinions expressed in this article are my own.
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