28 September 2016

Downsizing to the NEW Filofax Lockwood Pocket Slim – Part 2 Guest post by Tim Edwards

I was delighted when Steve discovered that Filofax was to reintroduce Extra Slim Pocket models.  These have existed before – both the Executive and Guildford were made as “Pocket Extra Slim” but neither have been available for several years.  This time it’s the Lockwood that has been produced and sold as “Pocket Slim”.  (The new model is almost identical in size to the earlier models).

The Lockwood Range was first introduced in summer 2014 in Personal and A5 with zipped closures and in 2015 with clasp closures.  New colours have been recently added and Filofax is describing the range as its’ “rising star”.   It’s been a really welcome addition as it appeals to both women and men.  For too long, in my view, all we seem to have had is new florals, patterns, patent leather and ultra-feminine colours.  It great to see this range now also appear in Pocket size.

The Filofax Lockwood Pocket Slim retails at £59/ €82 and comes in a proper box rather than a plastic sleeve - hurrah!  The new boxes are a bit more colourful than previous ones, albeit with the same pattern.


The Lockwood has the embossed “f” symbol on the spine and the same leather on both the external and internal faces. Dimensions are 141 x 100 x 20mm with an 11mm mechanism and it weighs just 180g with contents - incredibly light!



Filofax is typical expressive about the leather used.  In a recent blog post it talks of “typical exquisite luxury full grain buffalo leather with a lightly oiled burnished finish, stitched edging… inspired by the patina of a highly polished wooden surface… achieved by applying a shrinking process during the tanning of the buffalo leather to highlight its beautiful natural grain. The leather is then effectively ironed to flatten the grains for a polished, burnished shine. Each organiser is truly unique, developing over time, much like our heritage products still used today”.    

In reality, I would describe the leather as similar in look and feel to the early Maldens but not as floppy.  It’s not as “buttery” as the Holborn models (especially the Holborn Grey) but it’s certainly good quality, although not in the league of Gillio or Van der Spek.  Initially, it’s launched in three colours – Cognac, Garnet (darker brown) and Navy (blue). There is no indication of country of origin or any claim of ethical production or environmental considerations – just the quality code FEB on mine (suggesting a June 2016 manufacture – not February!).

There are only three pockets – a full length internal on each side with a curved profile at the bottom plus a card pocket on the left.


Images of the front and rear suggest external slip pockets, but I’m afraid that in this size these are merely stitched.  This is a shame, as a slip pocket to hold a rail ticket or similar, would be very useful.


“Flatability” on first opening is good - but not perfect – due to the stiffener used.  It’s not a problem though and will, no doubt, improve over time.  This is what to expect on first opening without contents: -

 
There is only one card pocket but it will take more than one card without apparent stretching and credit cards can be staggered without looking awkward or causing bulging.  Money and receipts fit well in the vertical pockets and the new UK polymer (plastic) £5 notes should fit without needing to be folded, although I’ve yet to see one up here in Yorkshire!


Cards can also go two high in the vertical pockets easily enough.  Alternatively they could go on the rings by purchasing the standard Filofax plastic card holder. One insert will hold four cards and I need to buy one.  One important point to note is that, whilst credit and business cards fit horizontally in the full height pockets, they will need to go vertically if placed in a card holder on the rings (as with all Pocket-sized organisers).


Thin notebooks (Midori, Flex etc) can be inserted into the vertical pockets without affecting the ring mechanism when closed.  This combines the benefits of both bound and ring binder for those who like both!


A Flex jot pad fits perfectly into the card pocket.


The pen loop is on the right and is elastic with a protective leather flap.  This is just about OK and is designed so that the pen sits within the binder cover.


Standard “fill” is in cotton cream (plus a few note pages in other colours) and includes a multi-lingual week-on-one-page diary for 2017.  As already mentioned, the mechanism is only 11mm – enough for me - but bear this is mind if you tend to “stuff” your organiser.  It won’t take it!   It would be possible to use stripped and punched Field Notes Size (140mm) inserts – such as Moleskine but it doesn’t look great in my view.  The binder is actually 141mm tall so there would be no overhanging paper top or bottom.  However, it would interfere with the pen loop.


So, finally, here’s a photo comparison between (left to right and top to bottom) the Holborn Pocket (15mm rings – shown as new with standard fill) the Flex by Filofax Pocket (no rings – shown with my minor modifications) and the Lockwood Pocket Slim (11mm rings – shown as new with standard fill).  Notice, what a beast the Holborn seems by comparison – especially in thickness!  A Malden would show an even bigger difference as it has 19mm rings (the Holborn has 15mm).



It’s early days yet, but I know several other readers here have been facing similar choice options.  It’s also a much needed product to appeal to both men and women.   As an organiser to use alongside a smart phone or as a satellite to an A5 or Personal organiser, I think it offers a lot of potential and is certainly a very welcome addition to the range.

Note – I paid advertised price for this from a UK retailer and the views (and photos) are entirely my own!   It was not offered for review by Filofax Group or the retailer

Availability: The Filofax Lockwood Pocket Slim is currently available from the following retailers that I am aware of at the time of posting:
Availability with Filofax USA is unknown at the time of publication.


Thank you Tim for two excellent and very detailed posts. 


42 comments:

  1. Great follow-up post, Tim. Thank you!

    Very clear descriptions and comparisons with other models making it easy to understand its design and size.

    Now, I'm anxious for a Part 3 that shares your usage experiences with it.... ;-)

    Best,

    Mark

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    1. It's already working well because I always have it with me. I took it in my back pocket on a mountain bike ride last night and it was great to have it in the pub afterwards for planning a "boys' weekend". I also took a business call on the top of Ilkley Moor and was quickly able to whip it out and jot down a couple of notes. I can also now confirm that the new UK polymer £5 notes fit perfectly as I received one in change for a round of beers!

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  2. This follow up has been eagerly awaited by me, so much so that I purchased a binder in Navy in anticipation and it was delivered on Monday. Personally I was a little underwhelmed by the finish of the leather but that was probably because I was expecting a Malden type leather. It is incredibly light however, and it's the leather and its finish which makes it so. I love things small and neat, so I shall be fine with this. Your experiments with a combination of inserts I find useful, as I'm not particularly inventive, so thank you for that. I hope you will do a follow up once you have become a regular user. Two great articles Tim, thanks.

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    1. Yes - after a couple of weeks use, I'm not quite so enthused about the leather quality. I'm already thinking of protecting it in a Traveller's Notebook cloth bag - but that defeats the object of always having it instantly ready to use.

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    2. Is the leather very prone to scratching?

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    3. It does mark quite easily, but these can be easily removed with a damp finger - similar to the Malden. I've found that it quickly lost its "burnished shine" but a quick buff with one of those colourless shoeshine pads restores it.

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    4. So the binder will have that well-loved look after a while, I suppose!

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  3. It looks so nice and new. I like the slim profile and the absence of a clasp.

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    1. It's both the slimness and the narrowness that are it's best features - as well as weight. The absence of a clasp is a big advantage when putting it in a trouser pocket!

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    2. I have an Ohto multi slim 4 pen (140 mm.) with three colors and a mechanical pencil. It is my only multi pen I can place in the pen loop.

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    3. Thanks Be - that's impressive!

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  4. I have been looking forward to this post very much. Are you using the Lockwood as your main planner?

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    1. Hope it lived up to the hype!

      I've transferred my monthly diary (Traveller's Notebook 2016 dated Passport) from my Flex (the one pictured) and created/printed/punched key information pages. The organiser came with a week on two pages diary for 2016 (plus a week on one page for 2017), so I'm using that a month at a time. I'm trying to use the Lockwood as my wallet and organiser/ planner but am still also using my A5 Flex when at my desk. I've got an all day conference tomorrow and I'm undecided as to whether the A5 or Pocket will be best for taking a few notes.

      I need a decent propelling (clutch) pencil and am on the hunt for one with fairly thick lead inserts. Suggestions welcome!

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    2. It did, thank you! It will be interesting to see how you like it a couple of months from now. Please do keep us posted!

      If I knew that I typically take a lot of notes, I'd probably just go for the Flex. Here's a chance to try the limits of the Lockwood though :) I took meeting notes in my LV PM Agenda once (11 mm rings) and quickly regretted it as I used up several pages for a relatively short meeting.

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    3. Tim,

      Not sure how large a pencil the elastic loop will handle, but here's a link (below) that shows lots of choices. I've bought from this company before (they're in USA) and had excellent service. Perhaps there's similar company in UK where you are....

      http://www.jetpens.com/Mechanical-Pencils/ct/45

      I bought some expandable multi-function pens from them. Work great in my binders.



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    4. Thanks - that's helpful! I notice that many pencils are 146mm long, whereas this binder needs to have a pencil less than 140mm. Although elasticated, I wouldn't want to stretch the looo too much either.

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    5. Tim, please take a look at some of the pencils in the Mini category:

      http://www.jetpens.com/Mini-Mechanical-Pencils/ct/2513

      Also, take a look at some of the multi-function pens that are mini size that include a pencil function, like what I bought:

      TomBow

      http://www.jetpens.com/Mini-Multi-Pens/ct/3034

      Also, bought one that is compact length, but when you want to use it, you can expand it to a more typical pen/pencil length. Very cool. Don't have it with me now and can't seem to locate it on the JetPens site. I'm away until October 6th. Can check specifics on it when I return.


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    6. OK, think I figured who makes the telescoping length pen/pencil combo......

      Brand:Platinum

      MWBP-3000 #98

      ● length 110.5mm compacted / 127.5mm extended
      ● Shaft Diameter 11.6mm
      ● Weight 18.9g

      JetPens is out of them, but found some on eBay:

      http://www.ebay.com/itm/Platinum-Double-3Action-Telescoping-Ballpoint-Multi-Pen-Shadow-metal-Japan-/182134904691?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

      Comes in several colors.....seller has several colors available.

      Might be other sources.....

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  5. Wow, now I feel tempted ;) I love Lockwood and I am searching for personal size as thin as possible.... Hmmmm - would please anybody knows the difference between compact and slimline? In terms of ring size? Thanks!!

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    1. Compacts are normally 15/16mm and slim 11mm

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    2. Some Slimlines (such as the Holborn) have oval rings - 11mm across but 13mm wide. This keeps the organiser width narrow and allows extra pages to be inserted.

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  6. THANKS!!

    Just hesitating between compact zipped and slim with claps as I plan to use it as a purse as well... Decision desion ;)

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    1. I was very tempted by the compact zipped Malden in Ochre (now discontinued) for a long time. However when I finally got to see one, it was too much like my wife's purse for me! The Personal Slim (Slimline) and Pocket Slim (Extra Slim) are more business tools suited for men and women in my view.

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    2. Tim, thanks again. You made a point - as I want to use it as a "personal" purse and not for business I ll go for zipped ;))

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  7. Very interesting and great information. Question--I use an iPhone 6s and carry it in a leather case that has slots for credit cards. Would this binder have room for my iPhone? It would be so sweet to have my iPhone, wallet stuff, and Filofax all in one slim package!!

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    1. The answer is definitely NO. This binder is 141mm tall and an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus (which I own) is 158mm. The iPhone 6 is 138mm tall but is too big for any of the pockets. It would be possible to fit a magnet on the inner face to carry an iPhone 6, but the bulk wouldn't work well. Remember this is a Pocket Slim and there's a clue in the name!

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  8. UPDATE : Price is now known - £59 in U.K. Also available in Personal Slim (previously known as Slimline) at £69. Both models will also be available in Aqua and both have 11mm rings. The Personal has four card pockets (just one in the Pocket) but still doesn't have external slip pockets.

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  9. Hello,

    just got mine from FF Deutschland (I've ordered it based on your report - thank you for that)
    BUT:
    as soon as you insert a pen, the "slim" is gone! I've put in a sleek Cross-pen - unfortunately, the paper inserts don't give in to accomodate the pen - when you close the book, paper lies on top of pen which almost doubles the thickness.

    How do you get around this issue? For me, it doesn't work. The book itself is very well made - leather is gorgeous...

    Cheers,
    Franz

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    1. You certainly need a fairly slim pen! It's the items that are placed towards the back on the rings that cause problems. Ordinary pages are fine but wider items such as the dividers cause problems. Also, accessories such as the credit card holder and zip pocket have to be placed at the front.

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    2. Tim, I've found a workaround whick works fine for me: I've removed the pen loop (just cut the threads at the leather flap - there remains a tiny cut in the leather - practically invisible) and added a "flex" pen holder in pocket size (had to punch holes..)

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  10. Thanks for this great post Tim! I'm really pleased that Filofax are bringing back the slim organisers. "Slimline" was always my favourite size. I was thinking of getting the new black Nappa personal slim (all my organisers have to be black, so the Lockwood is not an option for me!) but reading your post I am now wondering if I should try the pocket slim version instead.

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  12. Great article! My travel filofax is a Holborn Slimline. It holds my airline tickets, travel notes in a neat package. I haven't seen any new filofax slimlines in quite some time, so I will be having a good look at the Lockwood. A Slim Personal is a very useful size to me, although it will not hold a full year diary.

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    1. Yes - the Holborn Slimline is a great organiser. It has 10 pockets, compared with 6 on the Lockwood and will hold just about any smart phone - certainly the iPhone 6 Plus, 6S Plus or 7 Plus.

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  13. I just bought the Lockwood slim pocket in cognac from eBay. It's brand new and boxed. Upon opening, I saw the ring component has completely come away from the binder. There is a very small film of glue residue on the binder - that amount of glue could never have held the binder in place. Should I contact Filofax and get their advice? I own a lot of Filofaxes but have never had any issues. I could try to re-glue it but is that the only thing attaching the rings to the binder (seems insecure to me)? I'm located in Australia and we have no Filofax stores here. Any advice would much appreciated. There are no repair instructions on the net. Thanks, Star.

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    1. Sorry - only just spotted your comment from November. Check that the two metal lugs (top and bottom) are intact. If they are, a fresh dab of clear glue and gently easing the lugs to hold the ring mechanism is all that is needed. If either of the lugs is broken off, it should certainly be returned. If it was purchased second-hand or can't be returned, a large dab of clear heavy duty glue will fix and hold the mechanism to the base plate. I had to do this to my Holborn Slimline and it has worked perfectly for several years. Just be careful to keep the glue off the leather. An impact adhesive (such as Evo-stick in the U.K.) applied to both mech and baseplate and left to dry for 5 minutes before assembly is ideal.

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  14. Hi Tim. Great post, thanks. The Lockwood Slim looks appealing, but I'm worried that the rings might be a little flimsy. The message from Star Girl suggests they might only be glued to the spine of the organiser, too. What are your impressions?

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    1. The rings are fine! They have the two metal lugs and a dab of glue is also used.

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  15. Sorry, one more question: how do you find the absence of a strap fastener?

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    1. For such a small organiser, I prefer it to have no strap. The objective has to be to keep it Slim and not to overload it, so I find it's not necessary.

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  16. Hi Tim. I notice the top photo of the part 1 post shows TMI inserts, yet these don't appear anywhere else in the two posts. Will the Lockwood Slim accommodate TMI inserts with their extra width? I imagine not but would be interested in your comments

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  17. The photo showed Time Manager leaves in a TMI binder. The 180mm x 110 inserts can be successfully used in a Slimline (e.g. Holborn or Lockwood Personal Slim) if 10mm is trimmed to reduce the width to 100mm. I do this all the time, trimming from the left and repunching.

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