All paper-like substances have their merits, challenges and
suitability. I too have pushed copy paper (because sometimes that is
all I have access to) beyond what it was designed to be used for but
also have explored other types of paper and find it fascinating to
coax a paper through a complex folding sequence.
Thin and strong for complex models is the usual mantra, that said some
of the expensive lovely papers (unryushi for example) are actually
fairly difficult to use without prior preparation and/or
back-coating/MC. Highly textured and patterned papers also have their
challenges (you lose your creases and reference marks) and often those
lovely fibres lie just where you want to place a crease. Thick fibrous
papers are fascinating and require different handling techniques,
afford different styles of manipulation and either improve or do not
when wet.
Accuracy, attention to edges and points and not rushing to set a
crease are probably more important than the choice of medium. Part of
the fascination of origami, to me at least, is the journey you and
your media make together, transforming a planar object into something
more interesting. Sometimes I will take a paper and fold until either
I reach the end or the paper prevents me from doing it - we learn from
the experience.
regards
Peter Whitehouse**some assembly required
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