Use it! By handling it often your skin fats will smooth the leather. I don't think it's necessary to add any leather cream and such. I've never done it. The Chameleon will show wear on the edges and the clasp especially. On the other side, with all the wearing and marks, the leather ages beautifully. It will get very soft and bendable over time.
Jotje is right: your oils will help keep the leather hydrated and protected. However, everyone's oils are a little different, and you will most likely get dirt / crud on any leather items you own. It's good to clean and condition your leather goods to make absolutely sure they last a long time!
My mother just gave me her personal-sized Ostrich from 20 years ago… it was in good shape, but it was dirty and dry. She had Lexol leather cleaner, so I just cleaned it with that. She also has a leather conditioner called "leather honey" that worked pretty well—I gave it 4 coats of the stuff as it was pretty dry.
My case was extreme: that Filofax hasn't been used in 4-5 years. If I were you, I'd clean and condition your leather once a year. (:
it's probably been asked a ton...but does someone know how many pages that can fit into a slimline, compact, and personal....like the ideal amount, that allows you still to turn the pages...?
Ah... yes. I've done it for Pocket (about 225 pages!) but I've not done it for the models you list. Compact and Personal are easy as the all use either 15mm (Compact) or 23 mm (Personal) ring sizes. Slimline though use 11 or 13 mm ring sizes. Which model were you thinking of?
I will try and sit and find time to count a stack of pages and add them to both tonight or sometime this week for you. I will report back here and add the details on the FAQ page.
I just counted all of the items in my compact - I have 78 pages on the rings. This includes 6 subject tabs, 2 monthly tabs, a postcard, 2 transparent fly leaves, and a top opening envelope. So depending on thickness of paper, you may be able to fit more in. My pages turn quite easily, but although I can add more, I do find that any more than this and it becomes more difficult. Hope this helps!
I have a question regarding personal size Chameleons ... I have seen some models (spring green) with horizontal card slots, and other colours (raspberry) with vertical card slots eg like in the Finsbury. Are there different layouts for different colours? If there are differences, then why? What way round are the card slots in a red personal chameleon? Or a blue one? Sorry thats more than one question ...!
Emma, I know there is a difference in the Compact Vs Personal card slots on the Chameleon. My compact has vertical slots but the personal has horizontal slots as you can see here http://philofaxy.blogspot.se/2012/05/whats-in-my-filofax-kristin.html
Emma, I know there is a difference in the Compact Vs Personal card slots on the Chameleon. My compact has vertical slots but the personal has horizontal slots as you can see here http://philofaxy.blogspot.se/2012/05/whats-in-my-filofax-kristin.html
Apparently in the spring a Philofaxer's fancy turns to thoughts of compacts! I'm thinking of downsizing from a personal to compact for the summer, and my question is about the compact Osterley in specific. Much has been made about the two pen loops being silly--is it truly NOT possible to fit a (relatively) slim pen into both loops and still close the binder? I need (at least!) two pens, so I fear the compact is not for me if two pens really won't fit.
Erin I have a compact regency which only has one loop but I use three colours to colour code. So I put a flex pen loop into the left hand interior pocket clip one triplus liner pen on the card and next to it another in the loop itself. Then a thicker pen in the actual filofax loop. It closes fine so if the osterley is not going to work for you that should. In fact I do the same with my personal osterley but I don't have a compact to try it with. Yet :) Maybe an orange one one day soon....
I have a question about a5's in general. I've always bought personals or pockets that were always too small until recently i purchased a domino a5. Of course i got the cheapest one just so i could actually see the size and feel the weight. But the domino in my book is just...OK...It really doesnt spark my love for filofax. Of course i drool over the malden purple or the finsbury raspberry..but i'm afraid they will just be too big and heavy. my question is. I'm looking for something a little more classy than the domino. I really look for weight when it comes to carrying it around in my purse. So if someone could help me out! THANK YOU!!
Claire if you love leather binders, you will never love the non leather binders, especially as you want have them in purple and raspberry....so you have two choices bite the bullet and buy a finsbury or malden in said colours or meridian tap yourself in liking the domino....
For classy you want a plum or grey osterley in my view. Smaller rings than the Malden so keeps weight down. I would also highly recommend a luxe if you can get one. They have I think 20mm rings so actually thinner than a personal but bigger pages if you get the A5. And they feel wonderful if you like textured leather.
Promo Code BOSTON must be used at payment/Checkout screen. 25% discount applies only to Boston organizers and does not apply to any other organizer or Filofax product. Offer can not be combined with other offer, sale or promotion codes. BOSTON Offer valid 4/10/13 through 4/12/13. Order must include a BOSTON organizer for discount to apply. This promotion can not be applied to previously placed orders and only valid on orders placed on filofaxusa.com. Offer only valid on orders placed on filofaxusa.com
I have the Holborns in the Zip model and I love, love, love them! They have so many pockets, lies flat, big rings, etc. but it's the leather that is soooo nice. I prefer writing in it when home but they are too big/heavy to haul around in an purse IMO. I have a Finchley from a couple of years ago and it is butter soft in a different way and I also have a Malden A5 which I haven't used yet but you know those Maldens - everyone loves them! Good luck in your pursuit!
I have a question regarding the leather of the Maldens. I have a purple (and love it!) one and considering to buy a black or orche. Which one has a smoother leather? Which one would you recommend?? I am just a Malden girl I guess... :).
I ordered a raspberry personal Chameleon from Filofax Denmark on Tuesday last week, and it arrived on Friday! Yay for customer satisfaction!
ReplyDeleteNow my question is: Do I have to do anything to keep the leather in good shape? Sorry if that question has been asked a thousand times already...
Thanks in advance
Regina
Use it! By handling it often your skin fats will smooth the leather. I don't think it's necessary to add any leather cream and such. I've never done it. The Chameleon will show wear on the edges and the clasp especially. On the other side, with all the wearing and marks, the leather ages beautifully. It will get very soft and bendable over time.
DeleteThanks for the advice, Jotje!
Delete4254
Delete0342
He's a nerd. Looking up M:TG cards."
Jotje is right: your oils will help keep the leather hydrated and protected. However, everyone's oils are a little different, and you will most likely get dirt / crud on any leather items you own. It's good to clean and condition your leather goods to make absolutely sure they last a long time!
My mother just gave me her personal-sized Ostrich from 20 years ago… it was in good shape, but it was dirty and dry. She had Lexol leather cleaner, so I just cleaned it with that. She also has a leather conditioner called "leather honey" that worked pretty well—I gave it 4 coats of the stuff as it was pretty dry.
My case was extreme: that Filofax hasn't been used in 4-5 years. If I were you, I'd clean and condition your leather once a year. (:
it's probably been asked a ton...but does someone know how many pages that can fit into a slimline, compact, and personal....like the ideal amount, that allows you still to turn the pages...?
ReplyDeleteAh... yes. I've done it for Pocket (about 225 pages!) but I've not done it for the models you list. Compact and Personal are easy as the all use either 15mm (Compact) or 23 mm (Personal) ring sizes. Slimline though use 11 or 13 mm ring sizes. Which model were you thinking of?
DeleteSteve
thank you this is helpfull. I wonder still how many pages can fit into a compact is it 15 mm rings, i think so? and into a personal 23mm rings? :)
DeleteI will try and sit and find time to count a stack of pages and add them to both tonight or sometime this week for you. I will report back here and add the details on the FAQ page.
DeleteSteve
I just counted all of the items in my compact - I have 78 pages on the rings. This includes 6 subject tabs, 2 monthly tabs, a postcard, 2 transparent fly leaves, and a top opening envelope. So depending on thickness of paper, you may be able to fit more in. My pages turn quite easily, but although I can add more, I do find that any more than this and it becomes more difficult. Hope this helps!
DeleteI have a question regarding personal size Chameleons ... I have seen some models (spring green) with horizontal card slots, and other colours (raspberry) with vertical card slots eg like in the Finsbury. Are there different layouts for different colours? If there are differences, then why? What way round are the card slots in a red personal chameleon? Or a blue one? Sorry thats more than one question ...!
ReplyDeleteEmma
Hi Emma,
DeleteI've never known them do different layouts in different colours. The horizontal slots sounds like an A5 to me. Vertical being personal?
Steve
Emma, I know there is a difference in the Compact Vs Personal card slots on the Chameleon. My compact has vertical slots but the personal has horizontal slots as you can see here http://philofaxy.blogspot.se/2012/05/whats-in-my-filofax-kristin.html
DeleteEmma, I know there is a difference in the Compact Vs Personal card slots on the Chameleon. My compact has vertical slots but the personal has horizontal slots as you can see here http://philofaxy.blogspot.se/2012/05/whats-in-my-filofax-kristin.html
DeleteAha! That explains it! Thanks for that! :)
DeleteApparently in the spring a Philofaxer's fancy turns to thoughts of compacts! I'm thinking of downsizing from a personal to compact for the summer, and my question is about the compact Osterley in specific. Much has been made about the two pen loops being silly--is it truly NOT possible to fit a (relatively) slim pen into both loops and still close the binder? I need (at least!) two pens, so I fear the compact is not for me if two pens really won't fit.
ReplyDeleteThanks in advance!!
Erin
I can fit 2 pens in mine (papermate biro's)
DeleteErin I have a compact regency which only has one loop but I use three colours to colour code. So I put a flex pen loop into the left hand interior pocket clip one triplus liner pen on the card and next to it another in the loop itself. Then a thicker pen in the actual filofax loop. It closes fine so if the osterley is not going to work for you that should. In fact I do the same with my personal osterley but I don't have a compact to try it with.
DeleteYet :)
Maybe an orange one one day soon....
Thanks for your enabling (I mean help!). I just ordered a compact Osterley in orange for summer. Now the interminable wait for it to arrive....
DeleteI have a question about a5's in general. I've always bought personals or pockets that were always too small until recently i purchased a domino a5. Of course i got the cheapest one just so i could actually see the size and feel the weight. But the domino in my book is just...OK...It really doesnt spark my love for filofax. Of course i drool over the malden purple or the finsbury raspberry..but i'm afraid they will just be too big and heavy. my question is. I'm looking for something a little more classy than the domino. I really look for weight when it comes to carrying it around in my purse. So if someone could help me out! THANK YOU!!
ReplyDeleteClaire
Claire if you love leather binders, you will never love the non leather binders, especially as you want have them in purple and raspberry....so you have two choices bite the bullet and buy a finsbury or malden in said colours or meridian tap yourself in liking the domino....
ReplyDeleteugh...your right.... any a5's you prefer?
DeleteFor classy you want a plum or grey osterley in my view. Smaller rings than the Malden so keeps weight down. I would also highly recommend a luxe if you can get one. They have I think 20mm rings so actually thinner than a personal but bigger pages if you get the A5. And they feel wonderful if you like textured leather.
DeleteHas anyone even tried the boston? They have a good review of it on here but it's the only one i can find.
DeleteThe Boston is on offer on Filofax USA:
DeletePromo Code BOSTON must be used at payment/Checkout screen. 25% discount applies only to Boston organizers and does not apply to any other organizer or Filofax product. Offer can not be combined with other offer, sale or promotion codes. BOSTON Offer valid 4/10/13 through 4/12/13. Order must include a BOSTON organizer for discount to apply. This promotion can not be applied to previously placed orders and only valid on orders placed on filofaxusa.com. Offer only valid on orders placed on filofaxusa.com
I have the Holborns in the Zip model and I love, love, love them! They have so many pockets, lies flat, big rings, etc. but it's the leather that is soooo nice. I prefer writing in it when home but they are too big/heavy to haul around in an purse IMO. I have a Finchley from a couple of years ago and it is butter soft in a different way and I also have a Malden A5 which I haven't used yet but you know those Maldens - everyone loves them! Good luck in your pursuit!
ReplyDeleteI have a question regarding the leather of the Maldens. I have a purple (and love it!) one and considering to buy a black or orche. Which one has a smoother leather? Which one would you recommend?? I am just a Malden girl I guess... :).
ReplyDelete