28 August 2012

Free For All Tuesday No. 82

Tuesdays are your chance to ask any Filofax related questions you might have.

So fire away and we will collectively try to answer your questions or offer opinions.

68 comments:

  1. Post hates me it seems so no Filofax for me yet :( Buuuuuut I was wondering can I use fountain pen on the pages? I've read a few comments saying the pages are quite thin.

    Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aaaawwww, still nothing? Are you waiting since the pink metropol post? That is a long time! :-/ no fun.

      Delete
    2. It depends on the ink, paper and the pen plus the combination together. thinner nibs with 'dryer' inks can work but its trial and error.ive been able to use lamy and noodler pens pretty successfully but its ink dependent. The filofax inserts I use is mostly graph paper, I think the color paper is a bit different.

      Tracy

      Delete
    3. My personal experience of the standard white Filofax inserts is that they panic if you so much as let them see a fountain pen. Even my extra-fine Waterman Carene with Waterman Serenity black ink, normally a pen I can rely on to be fine on any paper, exhibits feathering, bleed, and show through. My only success has been my (so far) 100% fail-proof combination of TWSBI extra-fine and Noodler's Bulletproof Black. Fortunately it's a favourite combination of mine anyway, but shall I just say that I find standard Filofax inserts horribly...limiting when it comes to pen use. My solution is to print my own inserts on better paper, but when I use any supplied ones, I find a pencil to be the best medium, unfortunately.

      (Most recent test = Standard supplied 2012/2013 diary in a new Domino A5, and I confess I think the paper quality is particularly poor)

      Delete
    4. I've had good luck with my Lamy 2000 with an Extra Fine nib. I am primarily writing on the cream paper but it's worked well so far. I'd give it a try and see if you can find a pen that works for you. I would recommend at least a fine nib if not extra fine.

      Good luck!

      Delete
    5. I'm using a Waterman fountain pen with a medium nib and the standard cartridges and it seems fine. You can see a shadow of the previous page's writing, but not so much that it bothers me.

      Delete
    6. @Lime Tree (sorry don't know your name!) you have a really good memory!! And yes that's the one it's been FOREVER!!!
      @Shadow Wolf "they panic if you so much as let them see a fountain pen." Pahahahahaha

      Thanks for the many answers! :) I'll try with Lamy (which a couple of you mentioned) abd I'll try with the other lot of fountain pen and pens I've got. Thanks!! :D

      Delete
  2. I noticed a Winchester with 30 mm rings on ebay uk tonight; shipping is only to the UK, so I won't be bidding myself. Thought someone else might be interested -

    ReplyDelete
  3. Is it okay to ask if there's any Genealogists here using their Filofax? And if so what sized binder are you using and how? I'd really like to use a personal size for this but just don't quite know how to go about it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Check our files section there are some templates for recording details for this sort of thing

      Delete
    2. Hi, I've done some genealogical research, but it's all been computer-based, apart from visits to the National Archives with Filofax in hand to record details.

      I use a programme called MacFamilyTree, and carry a copy of the tree synched on my iPhone.

      I tracked down and arranged to meet a lovely second cousin, who showed up to our first meeting with an enormous sheaf of loose papers containing years of research, so it can be done!

      As Steve mentioned, there are some forms in the Files section here. If you have material on computer, then Steve's tips elsewhere here might allow larger A4 or A3 printed charts to fit in a Personal Filofax.

      I love this idea, and I'd be very interested to hear if you develop a solution.

      Delete
    3. Thanks so very much Steve and Gerard. I have been researching my Family Tree for some years now and was using Mac Family Tree but have recently switched to the Ancestry for Mac program. I'm more of a "Personal" sized fan than and "A5" and think I may have discovered exactly what I'm looking for here http://family-tree.co.uk/acatalog/Genfile.html with the GenFile system. So I've ordered it and once it arrives I'll more than likely recreate the forms I need in Word so all I need do is print them out. I know there will be a lot of handwriting coming my way but it's also an excellent time to double check and verify the information I currently have and hopefully that will help with what direction I take next as I'm now a wee bit bogged down with info, paper and files. Thanks again.

      Delete
  4. Hello Philofaxy, I have just started blogging about my Filofax and other stationery obsessions. I have just ordered the A5 Cuban zip organiser. I just wandered if anyone else who has/had this organiser would care to share there experience of using it and how they found it. For me its ideal as due to it being zipped prevents any loose paper etc falling out and just keeps everything together. Also I love the style of it and the smooth Italian leather.
    Any comments/reviews would be gratefully received.
    Thank you
    Matt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. www.filofaxfetish.wordpress.com

      Delete
    2. Thanks Matt.... I'm waiting for someone to come up with '50 shades of Filofax' !!!

      Your blog is now in the system and will be monitored from here on.

      Steve

      Delete
    3. Yes that would be a great name! Thank you for putting me on the system and I look forward to reading philofaxy's future posts. Regards Matt

      Delete
    4. Hello Matt....!

      I was lucky enough to find an A5 Cuban Chili/Red (unused) at the Market a while ago....I use it exclusively to track all aspects of my business....I ADORE IT....Alas, I don't think it will ever lay flat....!!!!!

      Cheers from Oz,
      Tamarah :o)

      Delete
    5. The Cuban in the Chili colour is really nice! i found it very hard to choose between both that and the Saddle brown colour. Yeah I have heard that from a few people- about it not staying flat, it might mean I have to do a lying flat training session with it but will see :)

      Regards Matt

      Delete
    6. I had the A5 Cuban Zip. It stubbornly refused to be trained over 3 years. In the end, I just got used to it. I was mobile a lot so it didnt bother me too much. Its beautiful leather though.

      Delete
    7. My personal size Cuban Zip could be trained to lay flatish... but as soon as you zip it back up again it needs retraining back again! I might start using it again sometime, it's a great organiser.

      Steve

      Delete
    8. Oh and just like that you appeared in Web Finds. Sorry I've been out all afternoon on delivering people to train stations and collecting people and delivering them to hotels!

      Time to relax.... a little now ;-)

      Steve

      Delete
    9. Yes the leather looks gorgeous Paul!! That's what attracted me to the Cuban Range! and Steve yes it looks like that's just going to have to be one of the slight down sizes of using this organiser but if i'm honest I don't think it will bother me to much. Besides it has so many redeeming qualities such as the smooth Italian leather, extra storage space and the larger ring sizes.
      ps. no worries at all, thank you again for putting me on the web finds, I feel very privileged to be mentioned on Philofaxy :D
      enjoy your evening
      regards Matt

      Delete
    10. Matt- I too have a love for the Cuban Filofax models. I have the personal size in Chili--and the same thing in the Zipped model.
      Even though they are both called personal size, the zipped version is larger both in ring size AND in overall size. I have found it much lighter than A5 size of course, and it does the job of the A-5 most situations. I hope you continue to enjoy it.
      (I am considering picking up another personal size in the beautiful shade of a light tan.)

      Delete
    11. Thank you austinlinda! I just love the simplicity yet style of the Cuban organiser - I was debating getting the personal size zip as it would be slightly easier to carry around but I just couldn't resist getting the A5 at the price of £55!! The chili colour is lovely!! The light Tan is again a stunning colour! In my opinion you can never have to many Filofax's ;)

      ps - Dont worry I know Im going to enjoy my A5 Cuban zip!!! :D very excited.

      Delete
  5. For those of you who don't get Filofax emails - Using the code SORRY at the checkout on anything apart from Yard-O-Lead and the Temperly range before September 3rd will get you a 20% discount.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hmm. I *do* allegedly get filofax emails but haven't heard that offer...

      Delete
    2. It went into my junk emails saying 'sorry you haven't heard from us for a while, our email system was having issues, have a 20% off code to apologise'

      Delete
    3. I seem to recall a similar email last year... I wonder/think it's a bit of a marketing ploy to make you think they haven't been able to send out emails so here's a 20% off code...

      Delete
    4. Where is the discount available? Is it a "UK" only store/site?

      Delete
    5. yeah but didn't it say 'expires March 2012'. I was LOL when I read that...unless I was seeing things. And yes, I believe its the UK site only.

      Delete
  6. In reply to Erik who left a comment on yesterday's post. In London visit City Organiser Mon to Fri. And Paperchase in Tottemham court road

    ReplyDelete
  7. Just a quick question from me about the Ad-spot page. I know we get quite a turn over on the sales side on the page. People let me know as soon as things are sold etc. But I'm unsure about how successful the Wanted Ads are on the page.

    Very few people get back to me to say that they have got want they wanted so most of the ads just time out after 12 weeks and are deleted.

    Feedback please.
    Regards
    Steve

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like it, got very good deals from there. :)

      Delete
    2. Steve, I was going to put a wanted ad in some time ago, but I think i was put off that they were at the bottom, and seemed a bit ignored. Maybe a separate tab would be better, for a trial period?

      Delete
    3. I just offered someone something on it - maybe it would e worth adding something to the Sellers Guide asking people to check the Wanted before submitting their listing?

      Delete
    4. Paul and Lily thanks for your suggestions. I might shuffle the order so the Wanteds are at the top of the page and the For Sales further down. I'm reluctant to add another page, because it would be easy to ignore that page completely then.

      But yes I will add something to the Sellers Guide, excellent suggestion.

      Regards
      Steve

      Delete
    5. I have sent some people with "wanted" ad links or info on how to find what they were looking for (some filo were even sold on the adspot page, if I recall correctly!), but haven't heard much thanks/feedback. I thought, at the time, that they were just waiting for someone to find their ideal filo, and not really actively looking for it?

      But yes, shuffle the order might be a really good idea !

      Delete
    6. Is there an appropriate place to list "free offers" for just the cost of postage, on the Adspot listing area? I have several nice ones needing a good home, but they have a small cosmetic area of damage.
      Unfortunately I tend to try to "fix" any markings or sticky places on the leather when I receive them this way--so instead of returning them, I rub a tiny marked area too much that it shows.
      I feel like its ruined at that point, and get depressed that I wouldn't let a pro fix it -- or I should have returned it, and just wait a little longer for a replacement.
      As y'all know, lots of times there just aren't any more to be found-and I try to fix a flaw--foolishly.

      So what can I do with them, besides take out the inserts? Give them away, perhaps?

      Delete
    7. Yes please send the details of your free things to go on the Adspot page. Thanks

      Delete
  8. I was wondering how many people had tried using the pages from a pocket size Moleskine in their pocket Filofax. (see this YouTube video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61uSWdhBMOU)
    How successful has it been for those of you have tried it out?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Laura, I do that, I lovr Moleskine notebooks so this is the best of both worlds for me! It's quite tricky to dissect the notebook and punch those pages, but once you do it's great. The pages sit snugly inside the pocket sized filo, really taking up all the space, so I recommend top tabs for your dividers! Overall I love these pages in my pocket Malden, I much prefer the page size compared to the filofax pocket pages! I need to buy some more notebooks to dissect!

      Delete
    2. I have a pocket Malden on the way. I have always found pocket filofax paper too small to use but I think this will give me best of both worlds as you say.
      Would love to see yours in use... :)

      Delete
    3. Moleskines were either Buy-One-Get-One-Free or Buy-One-Get-One-Half-Price in Waterstones recently... what better time to buy multiple to fill a pocket filofax!

      Delete
  9. Not really a Filo question, but does anyone have any recommendations for stationery stores in both NYC and Paris?

    I am planning trips up and would like to spend some time stationery and/or Filofax shopping :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I adore Kate's Paperie in NYC! http://www.katespaperie.com The big department stores (Barneys, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, etc) are also good for unusual non-UK stuff.

      Delete
    2. Thanks Babs!
      Never thought about the department stores - will have to check them out :)

      Now, anyone's got recc's for Paris?

      Delete
    3. While in NYC, you might also want to check out Sam flax (www.samflaxny.com I believe). It's where we shop during our meet ups, and aside from a decent Filofax selection, they have all kinds of paper/stationery/art supplies. It's a great place to peruse.

      Delete
  10. I am wanting to buy the metal hole punch for the personal sized filo and I was wondering if anyone has one and how it works for them. I make so many of my own pages that punching the holes with a single punch is getting tedious. Does the filo hole punch handle a few sheets at a time? (I'm talking about the 55 dollar one, not the one that can attach inside the filo)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I bought this hole puncher for my personal Filo http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000J6EXM6/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00. You'll save a few bucks, and it works great for me! I know there another page on Philofaxy that talks more about them..

      Delete
    2. I have the filofax metal punch, it works as you would want a punch to work. I usually don't put more than 5 sheets at a time, just to be sure the holes are punched neatly.

      Moreover, I tried to punch transparent plastic home-made dividers, that were a bit thicker than the filofax paper dividers, and I had to (litterally) step on the filo to apply enough weight for the punch to punch through the divider. And yes, I did one at a time !

      So yes, the punch works, but in retrospect, I guess I would have prefered purchasing a more sturdy punch, like the rapesco linked in the reply above ! And it would have punch pocket-sized paper too... But I didn't know that other brands made filofax compatible punches...

      But I purchased mine on sale, so it's not a big regret :)

      Delete
    3. I also have the personal punch - admittedly, I didn't look around for different brands, etc so I paid the expensive price from filofax. I use it all the time though, so it's more than paid for itself in usage. I usually only do one sheet at a time to make sure the holes are punched perfectly, but that's just my preference. The one thing I will say about it - the back is quite stiff at first, so you might need pliers to open it to get the punched circles out of it. Once you've done that a few times, it's easier to get the backing off and will have no problem.

      Delete
    4. the filofax one is far too expensive! try the Rapesco one!

      Delete
  11. The Rapesco 66-P is much better. In UK its cheaper than the filofax metal one and is a much better design. I recommend it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I read on someone`s blog that they were looking for as Personal Deco, but can:t remember who it was and if they wanted blue or purple. I just saw one on ebay UK which looks blue to me but the seller says its more purple than it looks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. that probably is me! :) i wanted one in purple. Would you mind sharing the link?

      Delete
    2. Not sure how this ended up under the wrong post but here it is in the right place!

      s is the blue one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Filofax-Deco-Personal-Size-Leather-Organiser-/271045036396?pt=UK_BOI_Office_Office_Supplies_Stationery_ET&hash=item3f1b8b096c#ht_500wt_1359

      and there is a purple one, but its a pretty steep 126 pounds...http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FILOFAX-DECO-POCKET-ORGANIZER-DAY-PLANNER-AGENDA-DIARY-AMETHYST-PURPLE-026764-/370638388820?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item564bc4fe54#ht_817wt_1110


      ReplyDelete

      Delete
  13. For those that live in the US,

    where do you go to purchase your colored pens? What type of pens do you purchase? So far I've been using the Sharpie colored pens but they bleed through pretty bad which I thought I would not mind but it turns out, I mind a lot! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Take a look at the range on jetpens.com

      They're US-based, but shipping even to Ireland was quite reasonable.

      They have a good range of gel pens, which work fairly well on the Filofax paper.

      Delete
    2. I used to use the sharpie pens also. I didn't mind a little bleed through - what bothered me about them is that the barrels are all black with only a stripe to let you know which color the pen is. It drove me nuts to have to take all of them just to find the one I needed. After that I switched to the frixion pens (bought from jet pens). I liked them but needed more colors once I started keeping my work to do items on my planner. Now I use the staedtler pens, which I love. However, there is a small amount of bleed through on the Filofax inserts from these as well. I need the colors the pack provides, so I'm willing to deal with it.

      Delete
    3. Thank you for your help. I purchased the G2 Pilot Gel assorted pens on ebay. I have the black pens from pilot, so I'm hoping the colored pens work just as good. If not, I'm definitely looking into the pens you all have suggested.

      Delete
  14. Can I make a plea that the errant apostrophe is removed from the FFAT blurb? I realise this request is unbelievably petty, but it drives me NUTS every Tuesday! LOL!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All punctuation will be removed!

      Delete
    2. LOL! You have as well!!
      :)

      Delete
    3. Sorry :) is not something I recognise in my punctuation engine. [Hal response]

      Delete
  15. Ha ha re: punctuation. Staedtler pens are lovely as are my beloved Papermate felt tips. But watch out on Filofax paper! I'm experimenting with Circa compact pages in my personal for 2013. It'll be a Franken-Filofax. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  16. does anyone know if the purple a5 malden is scheduled to role out to the U.S.?

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is the blue one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Filofax-Deco-Personal-Size-Leather-Organiser-/271045036396?pt=UK_BOI_Office_Office_Supplies_Stationery_ET&hash=item3f1b8b096c#ht_500wt_1359

    and there is a purple one, but its a pretty steep 126 pounds...http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FILOFAX-DECO-POCKET-ORGANIZER-DAY-PLANNER-AGENDA-DIARY-AMETHYST-PURPLE-026764-/370638388820?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item564bc4fe54#ht_817wt_1110

    ReplyDelete