22 November 2011

Free For All Tuesday No. 42

Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything (42)... but that is an answer without a question! and not very Filofax related either...

But as this is Tuesday you are free to ask any Filofax related questions you might have.

53 comments:

  1. One of my pet peeves is to have my filofax without its pen. What kind of pen does anyone use with your filofax? My favorite is a Parker ball point stainless steel jotter or a stainless steel zebra.

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  2. I'm using this pen for pocket size planners, in aqua/pink. It's shorter than the pocket size. I think it looks great and writes smooth.
    http://www.xonexpens.com/products/categories/pens/classic/tritone2011.htm

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  3. Fountain pen nerd here, one who matches pens with Filos ;0). For my work, personal and happiness project Filos, I use a black, red and aqua Lamy Safari with a fine nib (Safari's triangular grip lovingly cradles my "writer's bump") because they are fun and very comfortable. For my home and writing Filofaxes, I use a Waterman Hemisphere with a medium nib or a Pelikan Toledo M900 with a fine nib.

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  4. i keep a black roulette kuru toga in my penholder. i really like writing with this thing. separately i carry 2 hi-tec coleto 5's plus a bunch of others (currently an orange uniball jetstream 1.0, sharpie ss pen, pink bic 537rt and the beautiful purple-red frixon zoe sent me }}thanks zoe you're the best{{ i'm not sooooo into frixion like a lot of folks are but i really love this purple red colour. it's funny as a normal colour for everything, i don't like pink much at all but as far as ink is concerned, i love it - hot pink, fuscias mostly and this awesome purple red.) of course cheap pen ho that i am, today i bought a pentel graphgear1000 which is great to draw with (just finished my illustration homework phew) the new sharpie stainless refillable pen and a green fisher space pen - might return the fisher...haven't opened it yet...

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  5. There's a blue Frixion on the pen loop and a red one nearby. For my journal (usually an A5 Red 'n' Black) I mostly use a fountain pen, of which I have too many to count.

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  6. Question: how many 'today' markers? I use 3 - one to mark my place in each of three sections - diary, tasks and notes.

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  7. I use a Parker jotter ballpoint pen. I chose it because it matched my Kendal(shallow, I know)

    When it comes to day markers I use one, and that is in the current week of my diary section.

    Question: I'm not feeling the love when it comes to my vintage pink Malden, so I'm thinking of letting it go and getting a Siena or a Scanda instead. (I suppose the Scanda is more geared toward the male customer, but I just love how the leather reminds me of a really well worn and loved leather jacket.)
    How is the leather on these two Filos? Is the Siena leather smooth or more rough and "worn"?

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  8. I have received my finchley from sweden but the front cover is damaged. It looks as though something has been pushed up against it because the bottom corner is smooth and not grained like the rest of the binder. Also there are some dark patches in this area as though whatever it was has scratched the leather...
    I've emailed sweden to ask for a replacement but I know they were completely out.
    Any advice on what I should do or could do to recover the leather would be great. This item is a Christmas present for a friend and I'm quite disappointed it's not perfect...
    Thanks x

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  9. @Deeji...sorry to hear. Maybe you can ask for different colour as replacement.

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  10. Deeji - Can you post some pictures somewhere to show what it looks like? may be able to help? could just be the bit of leather used to make the Filofax, could be a general imperfection you cant fix? Thats the only problem with leather it can never look 100% the same........ :-) xxx

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  11. MsPencil,

    For my calendar I use a pencil, this is easy if an appointment is canceled. For my to do list, I use an inexpensive disposable ballpoint pen in a store that I got. He writes really nice.

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  12. @ Elisabeth, I have the siena in espresso, the leather is lovely and smooth and smells delicious. It's really supple and lies flat out of the box. Its beautiful to stroke!

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  13. Anyone else out there who uses jot pads as tickler files, ie reminders ahead, but not a specific appointment to diary?? What else do folks use their jot pads for??

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  14. I use a Lamy CP1 fountain pen (extra fine). There is definitely still some bleed through. I'm thinking of changing my refill to cotton cream. Does anyone use Cotton Cream paper? Is it better for fountain pen?

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  15. I know I'm totally mad, but does anyone else name their Filos? I just purchased a fantastic pocket Finchley in Imperial Purple! I will be using her as my wallet/go-every-where-with-me Filo and I need a suitable name. Something that sounds classy and timeless, exudes organization and simplicity - yet also casual enough to sound companionable. Nothing arrogant. I know I'm weird, but does anyone have any suggestions?

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  16. KElly - I NAME ALL MINE, i sometimes forget their names but i still naem them :-d x

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  17. Noirciplum and and Unchecked Other, another fountain pen nerd here - I try always to carry one FP and one ballpoint, currently a fine-point Platinum 3776 Motosu filled with Waterman Florida blue and a Sheaffer Legacy ballpoint.

    I can confirm that cotton cream paper is perfect for fountain pen ink; the pages are visibly thicker and it doesn't bleed through. Shame that it's not made for A5.

    Tranistioning from Personal to A5 (just bought a black Domino) and I'm really enjoying the elasticized pen loops. I think more Filos need them. I can finally (securely) carry pens of reasonable circumference for my hands. Noir, I have a CP1 too, writes wonderfully -- but I don't find it comfortable for extended journal writing, which is my first use for my organizer.

    Aren't Lamy nibs great? Favorite pen is my 2000 with a very smooth F nib.

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  18. wow, a fun FFAT today!

    pens - i'm as all over the place with my pens as i am with my filo's i think! i was all frixion, all the time, but i have become addicted to the pilot hi-tec c in 0.4 blue black. ***love*** also digging the coleto (right back atcha snarling!!) though the ones with the grippy bit won't fit in the pen holder. boo.

    toying...toying with going w/a pencil for 2012. someone awesome sent me a kuru toga and i like it so much i may convert from a pen.

    jot pads - love them! i use them all over my book for reminders, as extra space for details about an appointment or for extra to do's. i like the colored ones better than the white ones as they stand out more.

    names - i do this too! but not very cleverly i'm afraid. for example my malden is "karl" (streets of san francisco), my chameleon is "grendel" (because i had a pet chameleon named grendel once), my domino snake i call "plissken" (after kurt russell's character in escape from ny), my kendal's name is "jackson" (after the wine). you get the idea...

    hey, is anyone radically switching inserts for the new year? like, weeklies to dailies...day on two pages to weeklies, etc? what is everyone going to use for 2012?

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  19. Sometimes i call mine " big friend " It knows everything about me :)

    I chanced this time and allready got the new one in my big friend.

    I used to work with Succes , here in Holland that is the biggest, but..... Filofax has a better one for me ,the a5 one day on a page business. It's great, no more seperate to do list etc. I allmost can't wait till 2012 .

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  20. @John

    I agree Lamy nibs are very smooth writers. I don't use my CP1 for journal writing either. The extra fine nib is still too wide for my liking.

    I'm also waiting for my A5 Kendal in the post. Should be arriving any day now!! It'll be used mainly for blogging. I should start looking for fountain pen friendly lined paper for the A5 then. Any brands you use?

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  21. I used to have one called 'Old Browny'. See here for more details: http://mylifeallinoneplace.blogspot.com/2011/11/filofax-memories-1.html

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  22. hey everyone!
    Does anyone know if there are any business-style diary inserts for personal size? I like the A5 ones but just wish they came in personal size. I don't know if I want DPP or day on 2 pages though. I don't mind looking at other countries :)
    Thanks!!

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  23. I love the jot pad too (and sticky notes). I use mine as reminders. For instance, I have reoccuring appointments with certain people. I jot down what we discussed and if they mention something that is going on in their lives that is important, I write that too. I then put the jot down in the week I will see them again the next month. I then am reminded to ask how things are going and show that I care about them personally.

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  24. filos and a love for writing utensils, well, here we go : my beloved Cavendish carries my trusty Pelikan M400 fountain pen and a Montblanc Meisterstück ballpen, the Piazza is still waiting for a dark yellow Parker Jotter and meanwhile looks nice with a Rotring 600 retractable pencil, and at least the Metropol slmil comes along with a Faber Castell Ambition cocos fountain pen ...

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  25. Pens - Frixion Turquoise and Pink 0.7 Ball refills in 0.5 Point pens (thanks to Steve)

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  26. Does anyone have both crimson and ochre Maldens to compare them? I love the ochre look on flickr but saw that it's not as common at the meet up -- crimson seems to dominate. Ochre seems more likely to develop that worn look (a plus in my book) over time -- like a bomber jacket. Is the leather similar? I read that the grey was of a different texture.

    Pens: I use the Bic 4 color pen, Zebra Clip-on Multi with a pencil refill, and Decimo (retractable fountain pen) with an extra fine nib.

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  27. for deeji - that flaw you mention with your imperial purple seems to be a commonish fault with that model/colour (have read it on several reviews including amazon and one of the filofax sites (maybe filofax.co.uk). I reckon they are out of the imperial purple now but maybe they can offer you some sort of parallel trade? I am in Sweden and they tend to be helpful but obviously they can't replace it if they haven't got any left. Hope this helps and that you get sorted.

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  28. I was on the BIC 4 colour pens (classic & fashion colours), but discovered the colour leeches from the page onto the dividers which was a bit disappointing. I'm using the Frixion pens in my Finchley, but am looking for a new pen to fit in the loop of my personl Malden... finding it very tricky...

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  29. Filofaxusa is having 25% off on selected items.

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  30. Another fountain pen fan here. I use a Lamy Safari when out (have several loaded with different coloured inks) and my Montblancs when at home (collected over many years). My abiding disappointment with Filofax is I can't get decent cotton cream inserts for my A5. In my opinion every insert -even the business ones - should be made with a cotton cream option. Oh and why cant we have glamorous binders like enigma in A5?

    By the way was in Neal Street shop this evening and they tell me they are still recovering from a certain group of visitors on Saturday afternoon! One or two names especially where mentioned - YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE! I'm told you are all completely mad! Seriously they also said I had to jion in next time as every one was having such a fantastic time!

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  31. Holy FFAT! Sooo many fun comments.

    For pens, I carry a slew of Frixions (my Malden is completely color coded) a Lamy Safari w/ 1.1 italic nib, and a Zebra F-301 in black for everyday writing.

    @Ray Blake- I have FOUR markers in my binder- one each in at the year planner, month, and day. Then I have a final one in the back by my medical information/insurance cards so they are easy to locate should anything happen.

    @Butanben- I use the Day Timer hot notes inside of a FC page marker to list general to-dos, that way they can be moved around. I've also used the jot pads for the same thing- they also make great shopping lists!

    @Zoe- You already know about my awesome insert switch- I can't wait to make the change from FF DPP to FC DPP!

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  32. I think I may have found a decent paper for Filofax A5. For all you fountain pen lovers

    Clairefontaine Triomphe A5 (lined/plain) writing pad. I might just get some.

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  33. @TPS: Filofax Germany has Professional Insers for Personal size:
    http://www.filofax.de/store/diaryrefills.asp?tn=1&control=processrequest&SizeId=3

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  34. @TPS - so does FF France, I would like this myself.
    http://www.filofax.fr/store/diaryrefillsdetails.asp?productId=2416

    On the pen question, boring old orange fine point Bic. I do like fountain pens but the bleed through is annoying.

    @Ray Blake - I usually use one page marker but am currently trying two though I keep flipping to the wrong page. Tabs work fine for my purpose really.

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  35. Thanks for the jot pads ideas folks! Very useful. xx

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  36. Hi there everyone
    On the subject of pens etc with my Metropol I use a stainless steel Sheaffer ball pen with blue ink cost £5.75 back in the good old days I also have a Cross Ball pen, both write very smooth, it’s a commemorative issue with Mickey Mouse on the clip a present from my wife. I have a two Parker Jotters one red and one blue. Diary entries I use a Pentel P207 mechanical fine liner pencil 0.7mm 2B lead it’s easier to erase entries when I have to amend appointments. The Metropol is vey useful I find, as it has two pen loops.

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  37. rayblake - i only use 1 clear today marker but i use a lot of flyleaves. currently i only have 3. i like the flyleaf since it's more discreet and doesn't get in the way visually of what it's placeholding. i put coloured postits behind the tab so i know what section the flyleaf is for.

    butanben i don't use the jotter pads but i recently bought the obnoxious neon index cards that i hole punched and put in as reminders. i need the obnoxious colours bad - my eye tends to learn how/what to ignore and then i'm screwed! so i've got to regularly change up my todo section

    tdshna - i think the ochre malden is seriously very popular. you should check out the malden group on flickr. it seems the crimson is popular in the uk since it was offered on sale 1/2 price early on in the year. if they did that here in the us i'd have one as well...

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  38. I'm about to purchase my first filofax...yay, however unlike the UK and Europe they are rather expensive here in Australia so i dont want to make a mistake. does anyone know how many pages a 30mm ring will hold over a 25mm?? I'm debating between the plan finsbury and the zipped finsbury.

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  39. MY CUBAN ZIP ARRIVED TODAY!!! woot! I know, but I had to shout. I also put in 10 hours work today and now I'm too tired to play with it. So I'll read Philofaxy instead.

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  40. @scoot. Some good ideas here. Was really referring more to diary pages but have nice Clairefontaine/Triomphe paper I can use for general use. Paper chase do some nice notebooks with perforations I think it is some Spanish paper but it does take fountain pen very well. Well priced and easy to punch for general notes etc.

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  41. @Ray Blake, I use 2 today markers. Also, I just got my A5Finsbury family planner today. It is a gorgeous cherry red. Now, I have a filofax in every size. The mini stays with me at all times. I guess I will use the personal as my diary, it will stay under my bed. Any ideas how I can use my pocket filofax? I am still waiting on my APEX. Has anyone in the states received theirs yet? I know how I will use that one already! great reading all of your posts. Yep, Unchecked other, I match my pens to my filos:D. Crazy I know:D Have a Great Holiday everyone!

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  42. OK, Question for Steve what made you start philofaxy as a blog? Did you ever think it would be so popular?

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  43. @MsPencil Much though I would love to take the credit for starting the blog, it was started by 'Philofaxer' back in 2005, Nan joined him in about May/June 2006, Philofaxer then bowed out leaving Nan to run the blog and in 2009 she invited Laurie and I to join the team.

    In terms of popularity it has grown and grown in the last 2 years or so. Personally I get a lot of enjoyment and pleasure in contributing to the blog, meeting the readers, communicating with them, helping them etc etc.

    In May 2010 I retired from normal work, Philofaxy is now my work... but it's the best job in the world as far as I can say. OK I don't get paid in money, but I get paid in kindness and friendship from all you readers around the world, and who could ask for better than that...

    Thank you everyone.

    Steve

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  44. @Ms Pencil. I use my pocket Red Adelphi Filofax as a journal and sleep dreams diary. I keep it by the bed. Amazing to notice how some dreams are repetitious and to stop and think about their meanings. Also great to look back at journal entries and muse about what has been happening in life!!

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  45. Hi All,

    Thanks for your comments. I have been in touch with sweden and they have said they do not have any more stock to send me a replacement. They have acknowledged that my returning the filofax would cost me too much and have decided to credit my account with the 90SEK I paid for it as compensation. So I have an A5 finchley for free :O

    The markings are darker than the imperial purple shade and they seem smoother than the grained leather. Filofax have recommended that I take it to a shoemaker to see if they can do anything to the leather... which seems a good idea.

    I would upload a photo but I will need to get a flicker account first.
    I do appreciate all your help :) x

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  46. Can anyone identify this Filofax?

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/sewsaffy/6376169235/in/photostream/

    It looks like the Ostrich but the clasp isn't right for that

    Steve

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  47. Hi all,
    I normally use my pink Lamy Safari fountain pen with a fine nib. Using up some old 1980's Quink ink & no bleed through on the paper. My Pilot G2 Ltd pen is out of ink, but that's my 2nd favourite one.

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  48. Anita - 1980s Quink? Reminds me of litre bottles of 4711 cologne that our lovely neighbour used to bring back from her visits home to Germany. You've just won the resident minimalist award.

    Steve, I'd say it's more likely to be a Succes binder - they produce a lot of designs with unusual fastenings.

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  49. @tdashna I have the grey, crimson and ochre maldens. The ochre definitely has the best leather, its very soft and supple and will age well, the crimson leather doesn't feel anywhere near as soft to me, and the grey is similar to the crimson.

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  50. @Lostwithoutyou Thank you! Saving for the ochre then!

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