PSA: Finding that right paper weight for repairs is not what it used to be

I was sorting through my old supply drawer the other day and it hit me how much has shifted. Back in the day, you could walk into any decent paper shop and feel a dozen different weights for book repairs right there. The owner would know exactly what you needed for a spine or a hinge, and they'd pull out the perfect sheet. Now, I find myself ordering online, hoping the sample swatch matches the description. It's convenient, sure, but you miss out on that touch test that told you if the paper would hold up. I've had a few jobs where the paper I got was too stiff or too weak, and it shows in the final bind. Sometimes I think we trade a bit of craft for speed, and that's a shame. But hey, we adapt, and I still get joy from a repair done right with good materials.