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Anonymous
so /po/, I've decided to take a break from the p and try some of the o. i've been folding origami for a while now, and I've always used regular old origami paper readily available from my local hobby shop. As my abilities have grown my paper has remained constant, though, and now that i'm beginning to tackle some more difficult models, i am finding that regular old 15x15cm doesn't cut it for complex models by the likes of Satoshi Kamiya and Lang. i see pictures of their models and they've all look much nicer than the dull, smooth surface of 'regular' origami paper. I've gathered that it's called 'washi,' but after googling it a few times I've just gotten more confused with all the different types. What kind of paper are they using for those nice dragons and insects?

help me out guise!

thx
>> Anonymous
Lang has an article on different kinds of paper
http://www.langorigami.com/info/paper/paper.php4
>> Anonymous
>>122767
much obliged.
>> Anonymous
OP here. after reading the article and doing a bit more research, it would seem korean 'hanji' is my best bet for the sort of models i'm looking to fold. however, i've had no luck in finding an online retailer that sells hanji.

i know /po/ is 90% p and 10% o, but do you guise know where to find 'hanji?'

thx in advance
>> Anonymous
>>122923
where are you frm?
>> Anonymous
>>122935
why do you ask? I'm looking for an online retailer.
>> Anonymous
For learning to fold complex origami, get some Japanese foil. You can probably find it at your local art/craft stores. Also, making tissue-foil (spray glue a sheet of tissue paper to each side of aluminum foil) is good for practice. The handmade papers are great for displays, but they require a LOT of work. Preparation with methyl-cellulose, possibly wetfolding, etc.
>> Anonymous
>>123069
thanks for your advice.

I've tried wetfolding in the past with regular old kami (with varied results) and I imagine that it wouldn't be too tough to give it a go with some nice washi. However, treating with MC seems like a much more daunting task. Is it absolutely necessary? From reading this Lang article, it seems they go hand in hand.
>> Anonymous
>>123073washi

Washi isn't really what you're looking for. Papers I've had success with include mulberry and unryu at the lower end (~$2 a sheet), lokta and some kozo at a medium (~$4 a sheet), and gampi, at an expensive ($10+ a sheet). Lokta can be uneven in thickness, but it's pretty great for mammals. The thinner papers work wonders for arthropods in conjunction with methyl-cellulose.

Thin papers do not contain sizing (the glue that holds the paper fibers together) so methyl-cellulose is a must.
>> Anonymous
>>123077
thanks for your continued help.

I've heard that lokta is uneven elsewhere, but I've found it fairly cheap and readily available, so I think I might get some of that along with some mulberry and a bit of MC.

it should be interesting to see how this goes...

What about cutting? Is there anything I ought to know in specific about that? I imagine thin, handmade papers don't cut quite like regular copy paper does, and all of the lokta I've come across comes in large, rectangular sheets.

again, thanks for your help.
>> Anonymous
>>123079

I'm not an expert on cutting, but a steel ruler, a cutting board/mat, and an X-acto knife are my usual cutting tools. Yes it definitely cuts differently than copy paper. Somewhat more like fabric.