There are a variety of punches on the market from Filofax own branded ones to several others. The most popular one I would say though is the Rapesco Adjustable Diary Punch.
This punch has two moveable punch blocks with three position settings for each block which you should move together.
The three settings allow you to punch:
- Personal - the two blocks at their widest setting
- A6/Mulberry - the two blocks at their middle setting
- Pocket - The two blocks pushed together at their narrowest setting
The punch has a capacity for up to 8 sheets of paper, although I tend to limit mine to about 4-5 sheets at a time. The punch is well made with a solid metal base and a comfortable plastic hinged lever that you press down on to punch the pages.
Over the years we have all devised ways of using this punch to punch A5 pages which require a double punch operation. People have done videos and created templates on how to align the A5 page to get the two sets of three holes in the right location.
I think Rapesco have been paying attention, because they contacted me recently with news about an update to our favourite punch. They have added an additional alignment mark on the base so you can line up your A5 sheets and punch them correctly every time. The updated version also came with a useful instruction sheet.
The updated version of the punch is now available at the same price as before. Stocks will be appearing with all sellers as they replenish their stocks.
You can win one of twenty of these new punches by following Rapesco on Twitter include your Twitter Username in a comment here. Alternatively please share this post from the Philofaxy page on Facebook and like the Rapseco page on Facebook.
Thank you to Rapseco for sending me a sample of their up dated punch.
I think Rapesco have been paying attention, because they contacted me recently with news about an update to our favourite punch. They have added an additional alignment mark on the base so you can line up your A5 sheets and punch them correctly every time. The updated version also came with a useful instruction sheet.
The updated version of the punch is now available at the same price as before. Stocks will be appearing with all sellers as they replenish their stocks.
You can win one of twenty of these new punches by following Rapesco on Twitter include your Twitter Username in a comment here. Alternatively please share this post from the Philofaxy page on Facebook and like the Rapseco page on Facebook.
Thank you to Rapseco for sending me a sample of their up dated punch.
Works perfectly Steve thank you as usual for a brilliant report
ReplyDeleteThanks, Steve! The instructions don't mention A6, which leads me to wonder if the middle setting for A6 has gone away. I'm probably being overly cautious, but would feel better hearing a confirmation one way or the other.
ReplyDeleteHi Kat
DeleteNo the A6 middle setting is still there. And I made a very strong point of telling them to not remove that setting given that the A6 size has recently become even more popular with Gillio and Van der Spek now making and selling organisers in that size and it is becoming a very popular size. They responded that the middle setting would remain on this product and future ones too.
Steve
I own a punch who can do 4 settings; I've used so far the A5, Personal and Pocket settings; I think the fourth would be for A6? I don't know really.
DeleteIt's a punch from BIND-Systems, T6001.
I am also an owner of the hole punch you mention and believe they are identical designed punches. It is not uncommon to get the same model branded with different names so that match the proprietary sales channel.
DeleteI don't think they are similar; If I understood the report correctly (which is a wonderfully done report, btw, very thorougly) you need to use a hack for punching A5 paper, namely punching two times.
DeleteWith the other one, I just feed in the A5 paper, with a small plastic thingy to align it correctly, and punch the paper for 6 holes in one.
Can you please clarify the function? Does the one you have (BIND-systems) punch the six holes on the A5 paper at once? Does the updated Rapesco punch in the post above also punch the A5 six holes at once?
DeleteThis Rapesco still requires you to punch the two lots of three holes as a two part operation not a single operation. However, with the addition of the new alignment mark it is easier to line up the pages for these two punches through A5 paper.
DeleteNaturally a punch that can do A5 in one punching operation is naturally going to be easier, but if you only use A5 occasionally then the Rapesco punch will be fine.
Steve, thank you for the reply. It makes sense that it is easier because the Rapesco punch has the mark for the A5 page.
Delete@Be: Yes, the BIND punches the 6 holes in A5 at once.
Delete@Lady Vader: sorry for the mix-up. Truth is that I have a hole punch branded with *duktus* that is adjustable to A5/A6/WT (may refere to "WestenTaschen-format" from Tempus planners) that appears to be similar in design to your A5.. holepunch from Bind.
DeleteLady Vader, thank you for the reply. It is convenient that you can punch the 6 holes at once. I used my Franklin pocket/compact product until I tried to punch a laminated piece. The plastic caused the metal parts on holes 2 and 5 to not pull apart and I could not use it for a long time. However I was able to pull the metal pieces apart and it functions properly. I need to punch the 3 holes twice for the A5 paper.
DeleteThanks for the review, have been looking for a good punch
ReplyDeleteHave the original version and had to use nail polish to mark the center - it was there but hard to see in a darker apartment (even with lights) . Would be nice to have a new one too though. I love the punch and use it constantly. Have a Pocket and the rest are personal, but Hubby has an A5 and we have managed to punch for that too. @LadyCameron is my Twitter
ReplyDeleteOk, I commented on their Twitter page!
ReplyDelete@paigezinn is my Twitter handle. Looks like something I could definitely use. I have not tried printing my own diary pages, but it sounds less intimidating with something like this!
ReplyDelete@MrsTovmassian finally! I can sell all my other paper hole punchers
ReplyDelete@FitNHealthyKal! So excited! I can Konmari paper punches!
ReplyDelete@izzyfalloni is my twitter handle, I am a wee bit excited! I have the KW Trio punch but it started "sticking" recently so a new one would be lovely! Of course, I could always oil the old one....
ReplyDelete@domesticvixen is my twitter name. I have also liked their Facebook page. I could really use this hole puncher for my inserts.
ReplyDelete@munchkinsinhi and thanks Steve for this review.
ReplyDelete@fa_frutta .... I'm so happy to know about this punch because I just got my first Filofax planners (a Personal Finsbury and a Pocket Patent ) and at the moment I'm using a single hole punch. I'm from Mexico and it is really hard to find a 6 Hole punch around here so I will order mine from Amazon US ...I'm so glad it can be ship to my country :)
ReplyDeleteThis is fab news as I lost my original punch! And use A5 and Personal at the minute!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm @jarfmdotcom on Twitter!
forgot to put here, I'm @michelec430
ReplyDelete@alwaysenuf is my handle
ReplyDeleteAs many have said, great news and how satisfying when companies appear to be paying attention! Thanks for an informative post and the chance to receive the new and improved model.
ReplyDelete@gingham_leopard
Needed to get a new punch and this seems like serendipity! @yayitskatie
ReplyDeleteIt will be so nice to not require testing and tape to have a proper A5 setup. @missz13
ReplyDeleteBeen looking for a great paper punch. @appleelmido
ReplyDeleteAm I supposed to comment here too?
ReplyDelete@amywendt Nice review!
ReplyDeletePerfect timing as I am in need of a punch that will do personal, pocket and A5 sized sheets. Thanks! @RockPaperKnit
ReplyDeleteI had no idea it was adjustable. But I just went look at mine, and it is. Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteIs the contest still open? @seevajos
ReplyDelete