I’ll just add a small note from my side — I’ve found that regular 20 lb copy paper should actually hold up just fine under an SM9’s typebars. After all, back in the day, people were pounding out drafts on onion skin — which was far thinner and lighter, often around 9–13 lb bond weight — and those pages managed to survive both the typewriter and the carbon copy process.
That said, you’re right that lighter paper can curl, especially if humidity or platen hardness come into play. A firmer platen or dry rollers will make the paper buckle a little more on impact.
I do agree that 24 lb cotton bond feels luxurious — it’s got that crisp snap and takes ink beautifully — but you don’t need it unless you’re journaling for posterity. For everyday use, I often stick to plain 20 lb or a whimsical 16 lb onion skin reissue (if you can find it). The rhythmic whisper of the keys through onion skin has a charm all its own.
Curious: do you notice the curl more at the top or bottom edge? That sometimes hints at uneven pressure along the platen.
Ezra
