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14 May 2014

Clipbook by Filofax

Filofax recently introduced the Clipbook A5 notebooks in UK only initially. Filofax kindly sent me a few to try out and to review and give a way.

These notebooks are available in a variety of cover colours and two cover styles. All of them are A5 page size and they have 25mm rings with ring spacing that is compatible with Filofax A5 personal organisers.

You might be thinking I don't need another A5, well may be not, but think of the possible uses of something that take Filofax A5 paper that can be as slim or as fat as you want with the exception of the rings of course. An organiser which is only just a little bit bigger than a sheet of A5 paper. And at a very low price with a range of inserts in it.


I think Filofax have aimed this product at people that might not already be Filofax owners/users.


In their words you can 'gift it' to someone you know and love.


The cover is very plain, no pockets, but you could use a pocket or zip envelope that clips in to the rings.


The rings link through the cover to hold them in place.


And you can remove the rings completely with a little bit of fiddling, and they go back in just as easily too. You will notice there are no tabs on these rings, some people have commented that this will result in the rings becoming 'gappy' very quickly. Well not quite,  because the rings loop through the cover, you are supposed to pull the two halves of the cover outwards to open the rings.

I have found this works well. By opening them in this way you are placing equal pressure on each pair of rings so the ring mechanism shouldn't become distorted from being opened by pulling them open by just one pair of rings.

I've been messing around with this black one for a quite a few days taking it apart and generally using it and I've not encountered any issues with the ring mechanism at all.


The cover will fold back on itself too, so it can be quite compact in use, taking up less desk space than a conventional A5 Filofax.


The Clipbook comes with a selection of inserts as detailed on the reverse side of the instruction sheet.


A stack of ruled paper, graph paper and plain paper, these are all A5 in size.


Undated year planner pages. At 286mm these are slightly smaller than A4 so they fold in to A5 and allow for the rings.


Undated Monthly planner pages.  Like the year planners these are 286mm, so they fold in to A5 and allow for the rings.


Undated Weekly and task/note pages facing each other. These are A5 size pages.


To do, Check list sheets as well.


Naturally all the pages are A5 size and compatible with your existing A5 Filofax.

Take a quick look at the short video from Filofax.


So what do I think of the Clipbook? Come on Steve be honest in your assessment!

The first thing to strike you when you unpack one will be the chemical smell. Yes I'm not going to make a secret of it, it has been widely mentioned in the comments on Philofaxy and Facebook already, and I'm not going to say 'Oh mine didn't smell'

At first I thought it was the plastic of the cover, but I think it's actually the ink the paper is printed with. What ever it is, it does get better over time. I've left mine in the office and as I spend many hours in there every day/week I would have noticed it if it was still as bad as when I first unpacked it.

I think it's quite a versatile product in terms of what you can use it for and who it might appeal to. I thought about how it would be used by a variety of people.

So without being specific... let's take someone who might be dealing with a handful of projects. Each project has a variety of deadlines. You could use a series of Clipbooks to hold the reports documents, schedules for each project. You can reorder the pages, extract pages to take to meetings etc so easily. You could use different covers for different aspects of one large project and break one large project down in to different Clipbooks.

Or a student at university might have a different Clipbook for each subject they were studying or each module of a much larger course. Smaller in size than a big A4 ring binder, easier to slot in to a bag, light weight too.

The selection of pages they come with would be a good starting point for planning and recording quite a wide range of tasks.

Compared to some non-leather Filofax organisers, this one doesn't feel or look like an 'also-ran' it wouldn't look out of place in a kitchen with your collection of recipes and other useful information in it, with a rolling selection of meal plans. Again it's compact size compared to a US letter size, or A4 ring binder will ensure it is not going to dominate your work top, and the plastic cover will shrug off kitchen spills easily.

How about as a garden organiser, one that you might leave in your potting shed with your hints and tips on planting seeds etc. Although I'm not sure how rust proof the ring mechanism is when subjected to higher than normal humidity.

So overall I think it's a good addition to the Filofax range. It is currently available on the Filofax website and in-store at W.H. Smiths in UK, other countries might follow suit next year.
  • Leather-look cover £18 - White, Black, Petrol Blue
  • Translucent cover £15 - Purple, Fluro Pink
Would you like to try one of these out? Well I have a few to give away.... leave a comment here on Philofaxy and I will pick out a few people at random by Sunday 18th May 2014 to receive a Clipbook with inserts to try out for themselves.

The usual rules of course... the Judges decision is final, no cash alternative etc etc.

So how would you use a Clipbook?

89 comments:

  1. I think this is a product you need to touch and use to "get"; it is baffling to me but this write-up is the best explanation I've seen to date.

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  2. As a teacher I think that the clipbook would be great to use to plan lessons in. Especially at A-level, one for each module would work brilliantly. The diary section could be used for a scheme of work, exam schedule and general lesson overview. I think I am going to need to try this out!

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    1. I agree - I currently use an a5 Domino as my teaching planner but this looks like a real possibility!

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  3. Thanks for the review- it looks like a slightly puzzling product, but one which might be useful nonetheless. I can't carry my A5 Classic with me, much as I'd like to. It's just too heavy and bulky. This might be a good portable alternative to use in combination with a traditional A5 Filofax.

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    1. Can you use the day to a page in the clip book? Would like to get one but not sure if this will work

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  4. I think they are a great idea versatile, cheapish and lightweight perfect for Uni notes and assignment planning once you get over the smell! Plus a nice range of colours. as a purple fan im happy.

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  5. Great review, would love to win.

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  6. I really like the concept and ideas this might just be what I am after. I am a Head of Year and always looking for the perfect notebook system my new A5 Filofax is working great as a diary but need to add to this as I am about to embark on Gcse Art then A level art whilst still trying to remain organised and sane. Colour choices are brilliant (i am a blue fan) will need to start planning as i am hoping to do the GCSE IN A YEAR!!!

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    1. the petrol blue is a stunning colour aswell. I have yet to decide on a use for mine but I stroke it and look at it often

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  7. Like the lightness and portability and ability to use Filo/other organiser inserts. Wish it was a fraction wider/taller as it looks as if tabs may stick out - did you find this to be the case Steve?

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    1. Yes tabs might stick out a little in the middle, but only by a couple of millimetres.

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  8. They look really handy! Would be cool for university notes I think! I'm impressed with Filofax's innovation here, coming up with a new twist on the filos.

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  9. I think I would use it as my home binder - would help with medical, moving, household information, etc. Something my husband would be comfortable using as well so we can share information. OR I could use it for work - keeping all my proposals in it and schedule of meetings so I can have my nice Original A5 for myself! OR give it to my mom who has wanted to try using a Filofax :)

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  10. I have a school binder, a domino, but it's too bulky to carry around. I'd use it for my lesson notes and plans with my small groups and transfer the data to my full file back at base. I'm hankering after the blue one... may be for my birthday next week if I get a cash present!

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  11. I dream of a Malden A5, so whilst saving up I think I'd give a clip book a go to see if the size is right for me.

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  12. Thanks for such a great review Steve. I've been wondering whether to buy one for Uni, so this is really great timing!!! I would love to enter your competition please, thanks Steve :)

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  13. Great review as usual Steve, looks like it's a great all round binder from ff. The variety of undated inserts is interesting although I'd like to know if the insert quality is akin to regular filofax paper.
    I'd love to be entered into the giveaway, although could I be cheeky request a masculine colour if I win as I'd gift it to my son for tracking his homework assignments, lesson schedule and making notes. He's only 9 but has a huge quantity of homework to deal with, this would help him a great deal I think.
    Smart thinking filofax ;-)

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  14. I was impressed when I lifted this off the shelf in WH Smith. Its so light for an A5 binder, its very flexible indeed and I think its perfect for someone wanting the extra real estate of A5 paper, but not wanting the extra weight of a standard leather A5 binder. And at £18, its very reasonably priced. I liked the inserts too, some of them would be ideal to be sold as standalone packs. I think this would be a perfect binder for travelling with - either for work, which would mean I could go up to A5 without worrying about the weight or bulk....and it would also be a brilliant travel binder in its owbnright. I usually have some kind of bag when on holiday, for camera, water, guidebook etc, and this would not add that much bulk or weight. This is one of the best innovations/collaborations Filofax have come up with in recent years.

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  15. I'm thinking that this would be a great way to make a huge A5 desk planner more portable for note taking in meetings. Notes can thn be transfered into the planner.

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  16. Thanks for the review, Steve :-) I think it would be handy as a work organizer: it's lightweight, the non leather version must be easy to clean from eventual pen marks, coffee spills or other "desk-related" accidents; plus the Filofax inserts are great for planning ahead the courses, holidays, changes of shift and to add eventual leaflets, courses certificates and other papers that usually add bulk to our organizers. I hope it will arrive on the Italian site soon.

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  17. Thanks for this review! I am very tempted into buying it, because of its nature so changeable: I could start to use it as a notebook for university, and then I could re-use it in my work when I'll finish studies....a really interesting product!

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  18. This is indeed the perfect gift for someone you know needs organising but not sure if they are going to use it... also if you are toying with the idea would A5 size be right for me... this would be the ideal gift for my daughter who is doing a QTS course in the Autumn ..
    The fact the inserts are undated are awesome do you think they will be selling the inserts separately ?

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  19. To me it almost seemed like an a5 cross between a travellers notebook and a filofax (the leather type ones anyway). I'd be itching to stick pockets to the inside cover and add sections for scrap booking and journalling. Has anyone else who has seen one thought this? I can't wait to see reviews and pictures once it's been out a while and people have really customised it. The only reason I haven't bought one yet is that I can't think of what I'd use it for without making something I already use redundant.
    Although, I am starting a language course soon (Scottish gaelic), this would be so lightweight for all my notes, it would give me motivation to work on keeping things neat and tidy and I think it would be great to keep all notes in long term.
    It is very well designed for students and I hope filofax are savvy enough to market it appropriately, rather than as just a planner.

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  20. Thanks for the review, Steve, which has given me some ideas. I've never really got on with the A5 binders, as I have a tendency to overload work bags and then need a pack of boy scouts to carry it for me! So my pink Original never leaves the house. I do think, though, that the Clipbook will work very well for me for work. I like the idea of the undated pages very much - I rarely use the dated Filofax diary pages and they seem to breed around the house! And I make lists all the time - themed ones for work, personal, blog, long-term projects ... A friend and I have a food blog, and I'm extremely tempted by a Clipbook for recipes - I love my iPad, but I don't want it in the kitchen!

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  21. Oh I would absolutely love to win a clipbook!! I am in need of a A5 size to deal with all my daughter's school papers. And this clipbook would be just perfect!! Wonderful review, Steve! You are the best!! When I grow up I will be able to talk in English beautifully like you :-) . At the moment, I can do it only in Brazilian Portuguese. xx

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  22. I wish they'd had these when I was at uni! What a great, cheaper alternative to a filo that looks perfect for organising study!

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  23. I think they are pretty neat and would be great to use as a recipe collection, as you mentioned. It really is different for a Filofax product.

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  24. I was really intrigued when I saw these for sale on Filofax website, and looked for reviews on them, but couldn't find any. So I was really excited when I saw your latest blog post! Thank you for reviewing them for all of us!
    I would really love one to use to help organise my NaNoWriMo this year (seriously, I need to be more organised with my 2014 attempt!!) so please would you enter me into your competition?
    (I really love the white one especially!)
    Thank you so much. Not just for the competition chance, but for your reviews!

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  25. Good review, Steve. You've given me more options to think about ;)

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  26. Sounds interesting, Steve! Would be great to be able to review it for all those down under!

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  27. The ability to fold back and take up less space is a wonderful feature.

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  28. this is a really interesting product, and i can immediately se it proving popular with university students, and with anyone who wants to 'try out' the 5 size without committing up front to the expense of a 'proper' A5 Filofax. the foldback aspect is really good - often uni lectures take place in seminar rooms with small tabletops attached to the arms of the chairs for note-taking. Not a lot of room for (say) an A4 pad, but a folded back A5 Clipbook would be ideal ,and the notes could then be transferred into a master file without repunching.

    If the contents were kept under control this could be a portable alternative to the A5, with the 'mothersip' remaining desk-bound and the Clipbook going out to meetings. However, I rather like Shaz's suggestion of a pack of Boy Scouts to carry my Bridle......

    The only down side would seem to be the prospect of going into WH Smith to buy it, but there's always online........

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  29. I think the clip book is a wonderful thing for college, for jotting in notes, to copy them on large paper to file afterwards or to keep all of the important information you have to study in one place :)

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  30. I think this is a great addition to the Filofax collection. I've got a son at university and a daughter just about to start sixth form, I think both of them could make great use of a Clipbook.

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  31. It would be perferct for quick notes at school and also it is really seems lightweight, but the main advantage is the to fold the cover back :)))) definitly need one to try it out :)

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  32. I would use the Clipbook for my MS fundraising efforts. Having Multiple Sclerosis is not an easy thing to pay for so fundraising efforts are year-round.

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  33. Have given this some thought and can really see a use for it in our day-to-day record keeping in my Girl Guides unit where we like to have their subd recorded on a weekly basis as well as the different awards and badges trhey are working towards. It would certainly beat carrying three or four hefty A4 ring binders around.

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  34. I'd use it as a medical binder for my kids. It'd be a great place to put appointment reminders, jot down notes for their next doctor appointment (instead of having it on little scraps in my filo) and hole punching and clipping in relevant papers from their doctor. It'd be quick and easy to grab in an emergency or in case we had to evacuate again. (Gotta love Southern California and our wildfires)

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  35. As usual, not available in the US. We are like the forgotten step-children of the Filofax world. Or maybe it will be part of the "Coming Soon"...how many months has THAT been up on the site?! (Sorry, rant over.)

    This is the best write-up I have seen of this product. As someone constantly struggling with the Personal vs A5 issue, I would try this as my Handbag planner and then just transfer sheets to my Home A5. Doing away with the constant rewriting and/or syncing might give me time to actually do the things that I plan.

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  36. Hmmm, my comments from this morning disappeared :(
    Anyway, I would definitely use this for my MA that I'm starting in September. I'll be doing it part time and my work involves living out of a (relatively small) suitcase for up to 9 weeks at a time - so if I can get my notes and so on in this that would be idea!
    I've been looking at the Clipbook and the Apex ranges for this very purpose recently - plastic means lighter! But The Clipbook does come in that lovely purple... Food for thought!

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  37. As a writer my first thought was that they would be perfect as project binder for novels. A place to jot down notes about the novel, do brainstorming in, store research-notes and links and so on. The fact that it's lightweight makes it perfect for carrying around for those surprise-moments when inspiration strikes. So far I use mostly bound notebooks but there I can't really sort my notes by topic and it's often a total mess.

    I could also add sheets from my work A5 in there and take with me.

    I really like the petrol color. Definitely food for thought.

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  38. I'm really into meal planning, and I think this would be perfect for that...lots of places for recipes, shopping lists, favorite meals, etc. Plus, the purple would match my kitchen!

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  39. I'm fairly new to filofax and am considering going back to A5. I'm just running out of room in my personal. I'm a "stay at home mom" though I'm rarely home. I have 3 kids and need to keep track of things for my oldest who has Down syndrome. I also volunteer for PTO as well as many family oriented committees in my county. I think I could use the clip book for various section to keep each area of my life straight. Thank you for considering me for the giveaway!

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  40. I think this would be good as a portfolio for my work.

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  41. For me, this is the most innovative Filofax design in a while. The engineer in me loves the way it is constructed; the artist in me loves the textures and colours. For practical use, I love the portability factor and the way that the binder can fold back on itself - that alone would make it perfect for writing on my knee while commuting to work by train. I love the simplicity of the design – it fits in completely with my philosophy to ‘simplify life’. For me the Clipbook ticks a lot of boxes.

    Since downsizing my Personal collection radically, mainly by gifting to others, I’m in need of an A5 to plan out the next phase in my life. I recently started a new venture and need the space of A5 to project manage my plans to a viable business. The undated pages are ideal as I could start using it straight away without wasting months of pre-dated paper of pre-printed date format. I can see myself already filling in the monthly pages with my key milestones – it’s the perfect layout for the way my brain works: ‘calendar’ style layout, starting on a Monday.

    I would love a white Clipbook as it fits in with my minimalist style – and the interior of my house, which I’m gradually painting white after 14 years of dithering on choosing the ‘right’ shade of cream!

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  42. I am a small business owner an dthink that this is perfect because it allows me to seperate each product line. with the transulent covers, i am able to see al lof the products in each line through the cover. I am also add swatches and do product detail. I no longer have to travel with folders or larger binders that can become heavy.

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  43. I'd love to try this clipboard as a "moving" binder...great for quotes on moving trucks. Cancelling services & storing receipts...cant be trusted w leather anyway!!

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  44. I think I would quite like this format, thanks for another great review Steve.

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  45. Whoever wins one of the Clipbooks on offer....enjoy it. I have now got 2, which I use as my cycling training plan holder and ride note books, plus a personal-sized Identity day to day planner. I like the simplicity of the vinyl / non-leather of these binders. Also, if damaged, they are simple to replace.

    I am not submitting this as an entry to the draw.

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  46. Steve - I'm just going to jump in and say I'd like one to try. Black or Blue.

    Thanks.

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  47. I would use one as an animal record book for my snakes and spider (and the new edition of a puppy) or as a recipe book.
    I have actually seen these in WHSmith and couldn't help but smell them, i love that plasticy smell everyone hates so much!
    They really do fold back on themselves easily and they look and feel very stuffable and soft.
    Great alternative to an A5 without the expense...i can see one in my future...hopefully the blue or purple one from this giveaway!

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  48. I would use the Clipbook for my writing notes and / or to collect the character sheets and other background material. It seems to be flexible enough for carrying around and making notes everywhere, so that no idea slips through.

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  49. I am very interested in getting a clipbook. I think it would be a great way to keep up with all my work information. I currently have an A4 and I am think it might be just too big. I love the A5 size. I love that this isn't leather and more durable to be able to use.

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  50. I've been interested in these from when I first heard about them a few weeks ago. Thank you for the detailed review. I think they would be a great complement to a full-feature Filofax. Or as an introduction to the 6 ring binder with all its advantages :) I'd be tempted to use it as my blogging binder as the other one is a little too big to be carrying around on top of my main Filo. I don't think they are available in Australian sites yet as I had a quick look for them recently. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of the giveaway :)

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  51. Thank you, Steve, for your detailed review. I've seen them on the Filofax website and read some discussion here. Since they're not available in the US, I'd love the chance to see first-hand how they work. I would use it to collect the notes and plans for a new course I'm teaching in the fall about memoir and life stories. Since the course also includes a community-service component, the Clipbook looks like it would be a useful and flexible notebook to collect and arrange all the bits and pieces I'll need to teach the course for the first (and subsequent) times. Thank you for offering a giveaway.

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  52. I bought one of these as soon as they were available and I love it for what I use it for.

    I'm a nurse, so I need to be able to easily print and punch my own A5 shift 'cheat sheet' to tell me when I need to do certain tasks. The fact that it folds back on itself is essential for its usefulness to me, as workspaces in a hospital are horribly crowded, so to have my info on view but only taking up an A5 footprint is fantastic. Also being able to insert my educational pages or inservice paperwork (folding A4 in half) seals the deal for me.

    The chemical smell was definitely abhorrent. I left it outside to air for 3 days before I used it because it really was that bad. Smelt like petrol/fuel.

    The inserts that came with it look fantastic. They should sell those separately because the undated nature of them makes them extremely practical.

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  53. I would use it to track specific projects at work. I do like the versatility and they have a cute design.

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  54. This seems very interesting! I would most likely use one for my academics like projects and such.

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  55. I would love to win one!! I'd make it my happiness journal and keep only things that make me happy inside of it. That way, whenever I get down, I can peek inside and live my theme song..."because I'm happyyyyyy!!" Thanks for the chance!

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  56. I think this would be a great way to plan so many things, but my first thoughts are: for basic every-day-carry planning in A5 format that doesn't weigh a ton but can be put into a 'proper' binder at home, and for me, for planning writing projects. I prefer A5 for that because of space and because it's easier to add 'foreign' paper - only punching, no trimming - you can easily move information about, and it's easy to do some hand-written drafting - but again the weight can be an issue in a leather binder so this would be really useful, especially because it folds back on itself!

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  57. The beauty of it (for me) is that the pages are ready to be put in your A5 without cutting or punching. So I could carry a variety of different papers in the Clipbook and capture information to be processed into my Filofax later.

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  58. I'm a headteacher and can see many uses for this. I'm quite excited by the versatility of it and can see it being used for teacher planning, reports and evidence portfolios. Would love the opportunity to try before I buy!

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  59. I think this would be a professional and intelligent way to keep notes on Direct Reports. It would be a really simple and effective way of capturing objectives, training and development goals, projects and progress reports, mid year evidence and final performance reporting outcomes for each member of staff

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  60. I can think of so many uses for this.
    ~ journaling
    ~ gratitude journal
    ~ finance list
    ~ 365/30
    ~ photo a day
    ~ misc. stuff like:
    ~ youtube favs
    ~ blog list
    ~ online order
    ~ wishlist
    ~ rak/penpals
    So many uses I can think of it is endless. Personally not for my calendar and to do's since it is immortalized in my personal filofax to take with me daily. But other than that I would utilize this one. Thanks for the review Steve and good luck to all :)

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  61. I would use this as my home planner, with sections on cleaning routines, I am a great fan of flyladys cleaning system, and she tells us to use any old note book, because the pages will change regulary etc...way to go home planner that I dont have to tear pages from, I can just replace them, with such beatifull vibrant colours it wouldnt get missplaced, and it would look great in a prominant place for everyone to see. Thankyou for this oortunity to win one. Elaine

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  62. I was looking on these on the website already and if I could get this in the US, I'd buy it. The plastic one is very close to the price of the Filofax storage binder (http://www.filofax.co.uk/storage-binder-1.htmland) but it would be a much better way to archive pages. I can see a lot of possibilities for use but in the end if none worked out for you, you've got a great place to store unused pages or archive old ones. Yep, like this quite a bit and would love to have one

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  63. A great in-depth review. I think they're a good addition to the Filofax range and can see them being very poopular with students for their lightness flexibility. Also you don't need to be overly 'careful' with them, you can just sling it in a backpack without worrying about damaging it. I could certainly use one for my recipe collection - cooking is messy yet any sticky fingerprints or spills would wire right off.

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  64. This looks like an interesting addition to the range, though, as someone else has said, I don't think that I would put my diary in it - more use it as a notebook with better space for writing and the ability to fold back on itself.
    Hope I win one...
    :-)

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  65. I'd love to see a pocket sized version. I could envisage many "Moleskine" users being tempted to try one. I notice that, here in the UK, ARC notebooks were originally only available in A4 and A5, but now come in A6 size too (that's a hint, if anyone from Filofax reads this).

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  66. I'd be very interested to try one of these to see what the A5 size is like - I'm struggling to make use of my beloved Personal Malden at the moment as it's just too small.
    They look like a decent product, thanks for the review.

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  67. Sigh.....I was going to be so good and stay away from the Filofax store....will just have a quick look.......

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  68. If I had a Filofax clipbook I would be able to dismantle my office and move to an apartment with one less room, dispense with my secretarial services, take on hours of extra work during the time saved from organizing my paperwork, and stop drinking to drown my sorrows as I'd be in Filofax heaven. With the money saved and the extra money earned I'd be able to send my daughter to private school. Thus proving that Fikofax really can change your life.

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  69. Thanks for a great review! I could use one of these for my lesson plans for homeschooling.

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  70. I have been using a combination of academic planner ( most of these are spiral bound ) a Sno-pake Reorganiser notebook ( like the Miracle Bind) and Filofax to plan and record my mandatory pharmacy CPD. The Clipbook looks like I could combine all three in one durable, wonderfully flexible minimalist planner and be easily able to take to work, training events and use at home. I hope I am lucky enough to receive one but I do wish everyone else good luck too.The comments are all so varied and inspiring.

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  71. Thank you Steve for a useful review! I love the Clipbook. It makes a good alternative for keeping notes for various projects (at work). I also love the colours. Only question I still have is whether the pink and purple covers resist the pressure of opening the rings. The white, black and blue look somewhat sturdier. Can't wait to try these. Hope they will be available in more countries soon!

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  72. Ooh, this is really useful - I've been eyeing these up every time I go onto the Filofax website, but I've never been sure I wanted to make the plunge because I wasn't sure there was enough of a difference between it and my notebooks/filofax. This is certainly intriguing!

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  73. Not going to lie, I've been looking for something like Clipbook for a looong time. I remember when that Mead notebook binder came out, I was ecstatic and I bought several but they easily wore out. The cloth part of the binder all came undone. I'll be in school for a little while longer so it's exactly what I need. The ability to be lightweight and move stuff around. Lugging around an actual binder takes up precious backpack space.

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  74. Like many have mentioned, this would be great for work (technician at a doctors office)! I have a personal size binder that is similar to the clipbook from Japan (plastic rings that separate by pulling the cover as well) but so many times I find myself wanting more writing real estate! Would love to how these rings compare to the Japanese brand. Thanks for the review!

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  75. I'm relatively new to Filofaxes, but I recently started using an A5 as a sketchbook. It's great for keeping various types of paper, notes and references all in one place and yet organised into projects. The only trouble is it's only comfortable at a desk. I'm used to spiral-bound sketchbooks, because of the 180 degree flip, they are wonderfully comfy for "plein-air" work. Now that Filofax has come up with a similar concept, I'm dying to try it out! :-)

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  76. I honestly didn't notice any smell to my Clipbook. I love it. It's much more portable than an a5 and hold much more than you would think.

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  77. I'm new to filofaxes so this looks good to me

    currently using random weekly mousepad planner, randomly printed monthly calendar & an academic A5 page a day hardbound diary for notes at work plus other random calendars & notice boards at home, I've just bought a clipbook (should arrive tomorrow, I'll update once I've got it) so hopefully I can retire some of the other random bits of paper soon (I do like my weekly planner mousepad (this one: http://www.amazon.com/5-Days-Week-Mousepad-Knock/dp/1601062540/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1426074793&sr=8-6&keywords=knock+knock+pad)

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  78. Seems similar in function and design to the lightweight discbound systems from Levenger, Arc, Rollabind, etc. except with traditional rings instead of discs.

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  79. Hi all,
    wanted to know if anyone knows where I can purchase the same size,color and quality paper the clipbook came with. The normal A5 pages are 14 cm and those the clipbook came with are 14.8 cm. I also LOVE the quality of the pages the clipbook came with.

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  80. Is this available in the United States? Where can I find this product?

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    1. Hi
      You will find it on Filofax USA https://us.filofax.com/us/clipbook.html
      And also on Amazon USA as well: https://amzn.to/3kwssbf

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  81. Hi Steve
    Thank you! I have three of these Clipbook beauties, they’ve dropped in price a bit and I like handling them, but I do find opening the rings a problem, usually because the spine is flipped the wrong way and so the join is typically buried in a nest of paper and I end up having to refill the binder. Insert step: check the lay of the spine. Ok.
    Then, you have to rootle around (tactile search!)under the pages to find just the cover to pull on, because covers and pages may be about the same width if you’ve used a few tabs, and it’s also a bit slippery to get a good enough hold on. A faff! I’m now aware of the danger of uneven pulling open of rings, but I confess to sometimes grabbing alternate sides of the two middle rings, and pulling! Sorry, just saying! I hope that’s the least worst way to pull, spreads the load a bit. You can find yourself in a hurry to complete the manoeuvre in a meeting. It’s all very well telling us we shouldn’t! I also have a cheapo Chinese binder, with tabs, which is a dream to open, and that experience drove me to buy a ‘proper’ filofax with tabs. I couldn’t justify spending much, so I bought a Saffiano. It’s rings were so stiff I’ve sent it back for a replacement (thanks for the advice on what’s acceptable there). So it’s all a bit sad, me and my filofax ring experience.

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