Origami U.S.a. - The Fold - Issue 29 (July-August, 2015)
Origami U.S.a. - The Fold - Issue 29 (July-August, 2015)
Origami U.S.a. - The Fold - Issue 29 (July-August, 2015)
Our fifth chapter in the Japanese section is about Kinumomi (きぬもみ), also known as Rhinoceros Hide.
Just like most of the Japanese papers we've reviewed so far, it is produced by Takeo and cut, packed and distributed by Toyo.
It is made out of ECF (elemental chlorine free) pulp – as most modern papers are – and should therefore age very gracefully and slowly. As
you might conclude from the name already, it has a unique, silkly texture with many wrinkles.
Properties
1. Thickness: The paper weighs 107 and has a thickness of 157 microns. For comparison, Elephant Hide weighs 110gsm and is 135
microns thick. So, with a thickness ratio of 0.681, it isn't as dense as Elephant Hide with 0.815.
2. Sizes: You can find full sheets at 109.1cm × 78.8cm, as well as pre-cut squares with a side length of 70cm (27.6in), 50cm (19.7in),
35cm (13.8in), 24cm (9.5in) or 23cm (9in).
3. Colors: We identified at least 15 different colors, the selection differs in the various shops. Most colors are suitable for animals, and
include ivory, white, gray, black, brown, light brown, ocher, yellow, green, blue, and red. The colors complement the paper's stony texture
nicely.
4. Paper Coloring or Colorability: I colored the red/orange sheet with a green Folkart acrylic paint. The paper curled a bit, but dried flat.
The paint did not bleed through to the other side. The proportions changed a little – the 17.5 cm paper expanded by 0.5 mm.
5. Texture: the surface is gently crumpled. The paper is embossed throughout, visible on both sides. On the front the wrinkles make small
mountains, on the reverse craters. It well deserves its alias Rhino Hide, indeed resembling an animal hide.
6. Photogenic: The paper is a real beauty. It was easy to capture its unique texture. The embossed surface is perfect for folding animals.
7. Aging and Wear and Tear: The tear machine reveals this is a weaker paper, scoring at 462 and 628. For comparison, Elephant Hide
scored almost double (1130), while Printer Paper was in a similar range (580/510). Importantly, we all experieced a tear during our test
folds. We do not have any experience with aging or color fading, but as the paper is acid-free it should last. 5 out of 10.
8. Memory: Very high. Creases are sharp and evident. However, the paper is very thick, so a preliminary base won't stay flat, but it will
open up. 8 out of 10.
9. Forgiveness: Almost perfect – you can reverse folds with no effort at all. 9.5 out of 10.
10. Tensile Strength: We refer here to the maximum stress the paper can undergo while being stretched or pulled. With the grain, the
paper endured 16.3kg, stretching by 3.7mm before tearing. In contrast, against the grain, the paper tore at 3.9 kg already, stretching by
11mm! The values are extremely contrasting, with the grain surprisingly strong, against the grain not impressive at all. To put this into
perspective, Elephant Hide tore at 15kg and 7kg respectively, Printer Paper at 7kg and 2.9kg. 8 out of 10.
11. Bending Resistance: This section rates the amount of force you need to apply to get a sharp crease and how strong the paper is
while being curved. The results, 298 and 73, are a little lower than those for Elephant Hide (295/120), which has a similar paper weight.
As with tensile strength, the difference between with and against the grain is much more pronounced, though! 8 out of 10.
12. Price group: Moderate - fine folding - for showing in a monthly meeting.
13. Where to buy:
origami-shop.com (24cm, 35cm, 70cm): 10 different colors
origamishop.us (9in, 14in, 19.7in, 27.6in): 10 different colors
origamihouse.jp: 4 different colors
takeopaper.com (109.1cm × 78.8cm, delivery within Japan only): 13 different colors
Test results
Every shop supply a different set of colors.
Action Model
Flapping Bird, 10×10cm
You really notice a difference between folding with and against the grain. When
folding against the train, the fold lines tend to distort. Folding with the grain is
much easier and cleaner. You can see this in the beak, where only one side is
sharp.
The action element works nicely.
Wet Folding
Baby Elephant by Evi Binzinger, 25×25cm
This model has few layers and shaping can be done with the help of wet folding.
All fold lines are very visible and easy to reverse. The paper was not forgiving at
all and every mistake is hard to correct. While shaping, the fibers' direction is
obvious and stands in your way. After only slightly dampening the paper with
some water spray, I was surprised to see that one side was highly shapeable
while the other was almost too soggy.
Final verdict
The papers we are testing now are becoming gradually more limited in the way
we can use them for origami folding. Rhinoceros Hide is such a thick paper, that
it has a totally different behavior between folding with and against grain. The
paper is mostly suitable for 3D, simple to moderate models. Modulars that don't
require too many units are an option, but not a natural one. The paper also
shouldn't be too small. For tessellations, it is surprisingly good. Again, you
shouldn't aim for small grids, but rather ensure the grid lines are at least 1 cm
apart. Then you'll enjoy the process, as well as the result. We didn’t even try When dry, the paper holds the desired shape.
complex models. There is no need to waste time or paper on such attempts; doomed to fail. The wet folding test was done only while
shaping the models, and we had different opinions about it. Bottom line: it’s doable and useful.
We found around 20 models folded from this paper in Flickr. All are intermediate models, 3D animals like rhinos, elephants, a gorilla and a
bulldog. We didn't discover any tessellations or folds from other genres.
Paper Classic Action Tessellation Complex Modular 3D Wet Folding Final score
Kinumomi n/a n/a 8 n/a 8 9.5 n/a 9
Roma Stone n/a 7 9 n/a 8 9.5 n/a 9
Golden River 8 n/a 8.5 6 8.5 9 n/a 8
Biotope n/a n/a 8.5 9 9 9 n/a 9
Karaperapisu n/a n/a 8.5 9 n/a 9 n/a 9
O-Gami n/a n/a 9 8.5 n/a 9 8.5 9-
Clean Room Paper 8 10 9 6 6 10 n/a 8
Efalin 7 9.5 9 5 6 9.5 9 8
Lokta n/a n/a 7 8 n/a 8 n/a 8
Bible 8.5 7.5 8 8.5 6 8 n/a 8
Sato Gami 8 9 9 6 9 8 n/a 8.5
Glassine 8 8.5 9 7 9.5 7 n/a 8
Unryu n/a n/a n/a 9 n/a 9 n/a 9
Skytone 8 8.5 9 9 9 9 8.5 9
Kami 8.5 8 8 7 9 7.5 7.5 8
Ingres 7 8.5 8 7 7 8 8 7.5
Nicolas Terry Tissue Foil 9 8.5 8.5 9.5 8 9 9.5 9+
Onion Skin 8 8 7.5 8.5 6 8 n/a 8
Kraft 8 7 8 9 6 8 n/a 7.5
Crumpled 8 7.5 8.5 8.5 7 8 n/a 8
Stardream 8.5 8.5 9 7.5 7.5 9 9 9
Origamido 8 7.5 7.5 9.5 n/a 9 n/a 9
Printer Paper 7.5 7.5 6 5 6 6.5 n/a 6
Japanese Foil 9 9 6 8 8.5 8 n/a 7
Tant 9 8.5 9 8 9 8 7.5 8
Elephant Hide 8.5 9 10 8 8.5 9.5 9.5 9.5
July–August, 2015
Review: "Money-Gami"
by Vishakha Apte
Edited by Jason Ku
book review simple low intermediate high intermediate
Money-Gami
by Gay Merrill Gross
Paperback box-set
Faux currency paper included
Simple to Intermediate
56 pages
English
$12.00
Buy it from The Source!
As a folding enthusiast, this book delighted me with its fun and clever designs ranging from simple
models like Design-a-Dress to intermediate ones like the Asian Dragon. Full disclosure here: this
reviewer is a fan of Gay’s work and has folded with her for over 15 years now, but that is not the
reason why this reviewer purchased the book and folded each and every model in it.
In true Gay Merrill Gross style, this book is well-planned and attention has been paid to the smallest
details, such as including a proportional guide, allowing you to fold every model from any country’s
paper currency; suggesting variations that can be created by changing the placement of folds; and
explaining the symbolism of the models. The instructions and diagrams (beautifully redrawn on the
computer by Nick Robinson) are meticulous and this reviewer was able to follow all of them easily.
Some of the models included are traditional designs that have been modified (like the Twist Fish),
made better (like the 5-Point Modular Star), and adapted (like the Mediterranean Daisy) to work
with paper currency, all to create new versions that will appeal to every level of folder. There are
new models too that this reviewer enjoyed thoroughly, particularly Gay’s own designs—the
Malachite Butterfly that beautifully showcases both sides of paper currency and the Mandarin Duck
that when shaped and made 3-dimensional, stands up in perfect attention.
To stash your folding money there is a very practical bonus model—Fold-Your-Own Wallet made
from a letter-size or A4 sheet of paper. Another great feature is that US dollars are not required for
folding from this book. All of the designs can be folded from any paper currency, or from half a
square, if you prefer not to use money. A gallery of models from the book can be found online.
Models folded from currency can be found here. A gallery of models folded from origami paper and
other craft papers can be found here. You are sure to find a favorite that you will fold as a tip or as a
gift, for years to come. This book is written to welcome all, to the fold and to make the fun of folding
paper accessible to a wide audience.
-Vishakha Apte
© Copyright 2014 by Tammy Dong
This document was published by OrigamiUSA’s online magazine, The Fold, with permission from the author.
If you did not obtain this document from The Fold’s website, you may have infringed upon the author’s copyright.
This document can be obtained legally by joining OrigamiUSA online at http://origamiusa.org/
© Copyright 2014 by Tammy Dong
This document was published by OrigamiUSA’s online magazine, The Fold, with permission from the author.
If you did not obtain this document from The Fold’s website, you may have infringed upon the author’s copyright.
This document can be obtained legally by joining OrigamiUSA online at http://origamiusa.org/
© Copyright 2014 by Tammy Dong
This document was published by OrigamiUSA’s online magazine, The Fold, with permission from the author.
If you did not obtain this document from The Fold’s website, you may have infringed upon the author’s copyright.
This document can be obtained legally by joining OrigamiUSA online at http://origamiusa.org/
© Copyright 2014 by Tammy Dong
This document was published by OrigamiUSA’s online magazine, The Fold, with permission from the author.
If you did not obtain this document from The Fold’s website, you may have infringed upon the author’s copyright.
This document can be obtained legally by joining OrigamiUSA online at http://origamiusa.org/
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Perhaps trying to profit a bit from the glory of the by now quite iconic Elephant Hide, calling new papers "Hide" has become popular. This
was maybe also the case here. Nicolas Terry, who to the best of our knowledge the only person selling this paper, notes that Lizard Hide
“has a great texture imitating [the] skin of reptiles. Rather thick (96-116 gsm [depending on the color]) and water resistant, it is ideal [for]
capturing organic shapes (like flowers and animals since there are many curves to be put in them), for wet-folding as well as [for]
tessellations.”
We couldn’t find the paper's source, so our review is solely based on our lab tests and the opinion of the four test folders: Guy Loel, Ynon
Toledano and the authors, Ilan Garibi and Gadi Vishne. We decided to test it for the suggested types of models only: 3D models,
intermediate models, and tessellations.
Properties
1. Thickness: We measured a weight of 113 gsm, which is within the stated range of 96-116 gsm. It has a thickness of 167 microns. For
comparison, Elephant Hide weighs 110gsm and is 135 microns thick. So, with a thickness ratio of 0.671, it isn't as dense as Elephant
Hide with 0.815.
2. Sizes: Nicolas Terry sells squares with a side length of 24cm (9.5in), 35cm (13.8in), 50cm (19.7in) and 70cm (27.5in)
3. Colors: 7 different colors are available: black, dark gray, light gray, dark brown, brown, green and dark red. These shades are perfect
for folding reptiles.
4. Paper Coloring or Colorability: I used metallic Folk Art red color. The paper curled as expected, but just a little. The paper dried in
less than five minutes and expanded by 2mm (1%). None of the color seeped to the other side. The texture is still visible under the red
layer, but it is less defined.
5. Texture: the front of the paper is embossed with randomly placed, small hills and valleys. This side is rough to the touch. The reverse is
smooth and has a slight resemblance to Tant. The pattern is visible, but you cannot feel it. The color is even with very little deviations
here and there.
6. Photogenic: The texture is subtle, but if you use a macro lense for close-up images, you can get absolutely beautiful images.
7. Aging and Wear and Tear: Lizard Hide scored 691 and 800 in the tear machine. For comparison, Elephant Hide scored 1130. Still,
the values indicate Lizard Hide is strong and can handle rough treatment and stay intact. We do not have any experience with aging or
color fading but the fact this paper is acid free, helps. For some of us, the paper tore in the weakest pionts. 7 out of 10.
8. Memory: High. Creases are sharp and evident. 8 out of 10.
9. Forgiveness: Very high - the first crease breaks the paper in a way that
makes reversing it easy. 9 out of 10.
10. Tensile Strength: We refer here to the maximum stress the paper can
undergo while being stretched or pulled. With the grain, the paper endured
17.3kg, stretching by 3mm before tearing. In strong contrast, against the
grain, the paper tore at 5.5 kg already, stretching by 9mm. The value with the
grain is very impressive, Elephant Hide tore with less than 15kg (but was
stronger against the grain, enduring 7kg). 8 out of 10.
11. Bending Resistance: This section rates the amount of force you need to
apply to get a sharp crease and how strong the paper is while being curved.
The results, 420 and 122 are much better than those we measured for
Elephant Hide (295/120), which has a similar paper weight. 8 out of 10.
12. Price group: Expensive – think thorougly before using – for a best friend's
wedding gift.
13. Where to buy:
origami-shop.com
origamishop.us
7 colors are available, image courtesy of origami-
Test results shop.com
Tessellation
Hilula tessellation by Ilan Garibi, 33×33cm
When folding the 24 by 24 square grid, I started with folding against the grain.
Wow, it's so hard to creaes! When placing the second crease, I found it difficult
to make the paper where I want it to go. Creasing with the grain is much easier.
This echoes the extremely contasting values we got in the machine tests for
tensile strength and bending resistance.
Precreasing showed good results, the short fold lines did not expand into the
adjacent squares.
Hilula is a tessellation that displays most of the paper – much more than the
Pineapple tessellation I usually use to test the paper. The collapse asks for a lot
of tensile strength. I was disappointed by the paper here – the paper tends to
break instead of bend. Some of the molecules lost their rounded shape because
of that. The central square relies on sharp creases holding their place. With
Lizard Hide, they weren't quite strong enough. So the final model didn't turn out The paper breaks before it curves.
as elegant as I wanted it to.
3D models
Dog by Hideo Komatsu, 35×35cm
This was the first model I folded from Lizard Hide. The paper is thick and breaks
in an ugly way, leaving slightly corrugated edges. Thankfully, a good bone folder
helps flattens the paper easily. Step 32 is a closed sink, and here the paper
showed how strong it is. Rather than using the clean process Komatsu presents
in his book, I simply pushed the corner inside. The paper did not mind this at all.
Then several amazing steps follow, which involve wrapping layers around, more
sinks, stretches, and the paper responded nicely throughout. The paper didn't
break or tear a single time. The final model stand strong and solid.
Final verdict
Some tradeoffs were made in this paper. The unique texture required some sacrifices. To emboss the skin-like look, you need a thick,
slightly fluffy paper. And because of the many valleys and mountains in that texture, the paper sometimes breaks when you only want to curve
it. Even more, the texture weakens the paper, so that two of us got small tears
when folding. And finally, because the paper is thick, we had to fold with larger
paper than we usually would.
Taking all of this into account, the paper is exactly what it is advertised as – great
for intermediate to low complexity models with a unique texture, and better for full
body models, rather than flat ones. For tessellations, I have mixed feelings.
Collapsing worked well, but I'm not sure whether the texture complements
tessellations that well.
We found around 20 models folded from this paper in Flickr. All are intermediate
models, 3D animals like rhinos, elephants, a gorilla and a bulldog. We didn't
discover any tessellations or folds from other genres.
Paper Classic Action Tessellation Complex Modular 3D Wet Folding Final score
Lizard Hide n/a n/a 8 n/a n/a 8.5 n/a 8
Kinumomi n/a n/a 8 n/a 8 9.5 n/a 9
Roma Stone n/a 7 9 n/a 8 9.5 n/a 9
Golden River 8 n/a 8.5 6 8.5 9 n/a 8
Biotope n/a n/a 8.5 9 9 9 n/a 9
Karaperapisu n/a n/a 8.5 9 n/a 9 n/a 9
O-Gami n/a n/a 9 8.5 n/a 9 8.5 9-
Clean Room Paper 8 10 9 6 6 10 n/a 8
Efalin 7 9.5 9 5 6 9.5 9 8
Lokta n/a n/a 7 8 n/a 8 n/a 8
Bible 8.5 7.5 8 8.5 6 8 n/a 8
Sato Gami 8 9 9 6 9 8 n/a 8.5
Glassine 8 8.5 9 7 9.5 7 n/a 8
Unryu n/a n/a n/a 9 n/a 9 n/a 9
Skytone 8 8.5 9 9 9 9 8.5 9
Kami 8.5 8 8 7 9 7.5 7.5 8
Ingres 7 8.5 8 7 7 8 8 7.5
Nicolas Terry Tissue Foil 9 8.5 8.5 9.5 8 9 9.5 9+
Onion Skin 8 8 7.5 8.5 6 8 n/a 8
Kraft 8 7 8 9 6 8 n/a 7.5
Crumpled 8 7.5 8.5 8.5 7 8 n/a 8
Stardream 8.5 8.5 9 7.5 7.5 9 9 9
Origamido 8 7.5 7.5 9.5 n/a 9 n/a 9
Printer Paper 7.5 7.5 6 5 6 6.5 n/a 6
Japanese Foil 9 9 6 8 8.5 8 n/a 7
Tant 9 8.5 9 8 9 8 7.5 8
Elephant Hide 8.5 9 10 8 8.5 9.5 9.5 9.5
July–August, 2015
Here are diagrams for a leaf with five points. This model was designed primarily as a fall leaf to be used for decoration, either in fall colors
like yellow, orange, red, brown or even purple, or in green all year round. Place many around a turkey origami model on a Thanksgiving table
or one on the plate of each guest. Please feel free to teach, fold, use, or sell the model itself!
-David Donahue
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