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12 February 2015

Clasps

Clasps, the part of your organiser that acts as the closure to keeps the organiser closed and your pages in their protective cocoon. The design has changed quite a bit over the years, they have become part of the style of the organiser.

Four Filofax organisers from different eras. Top left a Filofax York. It has a thin clasp with plastic popper cover. Moving across a Cavendish from a few years later, similar width but slightly thinner leather with a leather covering of the popper button.

In the lower row we move in to the recent era with a Holborn, the clasp has a slight taper to it and a full leather outer. Then finally the Malden I know not everyone likes the clasps on these mainly because they use the same dimensions from Mini to A5. Yes they do look a bit big on the Mini! This time we are back to a shiny metal engraved popper.


OK another four, from three different manufacturers... so who copied who I really don't know, all very similar in design although the execution is slightly different in each case.

Starting again in the top left we have a Van der Spek they have used this design as far as I know for quite a few years. Then a Launer from the 1980's this was made in England again similar design but being quite old it is quite supple now.

Then in the bottom row we have two Gillio's the Mia Cara on the left and an Amica on the right. The Mia Cara attaches the clasp to the outer 'jacket', so the organiser part doesn't have it's own clasp so the  clasp is quite chunky. The Amica is a little more conventional and similar to the Van der Spek and Launer in the task it has to perform.


Personally I like the broader clasp as shown in the bottom four and of a generous length too so when you add in additional contents in addition to the pages on your rings the clasp closure doesn't feel strained like on the older thin Filofax ones seem to.

What is your favourite style and design?
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15 comments:

  1. Maria Spinola12 February, 2015 01:20

    I prefer the wider strap. It has a more sturdy appearance, which I like. I also feel nicer on the touch. When I saw the wider strap, I did not like it, until I got a Mia Cara with this wider strap. I cannot go back to the Filofax with their narrow strap.

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  2. gmax12 February, 2015 01:35

    My personal favourites are actually the old wallets and binders that don't have a fastener at all. But there is then more risk of getting the pages crumpled.

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    1. Jane O.12 February, 2015 19:36

      I agree, gmax. I like the minimalist look of binders without a clasp. Plus, I find them non-ergonomical.

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  3. trina12 February, 2015 02:25

    The wider ones with 'stuffed' length is my preference. The glenroyal binders use a completely different type and I actually prefer it overall. The leather quality is a major factor for the Glenroyal closure. It wouldn't work on thin leather. The Originals maybe?

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  4. Anita12 February, 2015 06:49

    I think that from an aesthetic point of view I prefer the thinner clasps, but the thicker ones do seem better for being practical.

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  5. Josh LaPorte12 February, 2015 10:44

    I prefer the thin ones, but like Anita it is an aesthetic thing and perhaps the fat ones are a better solution over the long haul? I know many old filofaxes have very brittle clasps; some have lost them altogether!

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  6. Feld Effekt12 February, 2015 11:24

    annoyed by loosing my carefully written contribution.../ lack of user friendly function of this google chrome browser...

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    Replies
    1. Feld Effekt12 February, 2015 11:26

      all in short again: for me thin strap with uncoverd popper please with thumps up for esthetics and haptic sensation when closing a vintage filofax.

      Delete
  7. Boulevardière12 February, 2015 12:02

    There is another variation on the wide, rounder tab type - I have it on 2 older Lefaxes - it's the wide tab but instead of being rounded, it is squared off with a little diagonal fold right at the tip of the corners. Don't know how to attach photos, but can email them if you like? :)

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  8. trina12 February, 2015 14:49

    Does anyone know about new line of non-dated refillable notebooks from Filofax with colorful covers and interchangeable pages?

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  9. Mac12 February, 2015 16:19

    Search for CLIPBOOK....there are a bunch of articles on here, and elsewhere on the web too.....try here first though, as its the best source of info, and there are a couple of reviews.

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  10. Tim Edwards12 February, 2015 17:53

    There is a 20 second video just issued. See Tuesdays post on Philofaxy videos.

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  11. Anonymous13 February, 2015 04:27

    You know, I rather like the elastic strap on my Domino A5. Elegant it may not be but it beats everything out there for stuffability.

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  12. Unknown14 February, 2015 11:55

    I like elastic too as it doesn't add any bulk and I like how it's plain and functional.

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  13. Unknown09 April, 2015 07:12

    I love the way the clasp looks on the Mini Malden. I think it's adorable!

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