Downsizing to the NEW Filofax Lockwood Pocket Slim – Part 2 Guest post by Tim Edwards

I was delighted when Steve discovered that Filofax was to reintroduce Extra Slim Pocket models.  These have existed before – both the Executive and Guildford were made as “Pocket Extra Slim” but neither have been available for several years.  This time it’s the Lockwood that has been produced and sold as “Pocket Slim”.  (The new model is almost identical in size to the earlier models).

The Lockwood Range was first introduced in summer 2014 in Personal and A5 with zipped closures and in 2015 with clasp closures.  New colours have been recently added and Filofax is describing the range as its’ “rising star”.   It’s been a really welcome addition as it appeals to both women and men.  For too long, in my view, all we seem to have had is new florals, patterns, patent leather and ultra-feminine colours.  It great to see this range now also appear in Pocket size.

The Filofax Lockwood Pocket Slim retails at £59/ €82 and comes in a proper box rather than a plastic sleeve - hurrah!  The new boxes are a bit more colourful than previous ones, albeit with the same pattern.

The Lockwood has the embossed “f” symbol on the spine and the same leather on both the external and internal faces. Dimensions are 141 x 100 x 20mm with an 11mm mechanism and it weighs just 180g with contents - incredibly light!

Filofax is typical expressive about the leather used.  In a recent blog post it talks of “typical exquisite luxury full grain buffalo leather with a lightly oiled burnished finish, stitched edging… inspired by the patina of a highly polished wooden surface… achieved by applying a shrinking process during the tanning of the buffalo leather to highlight its beautiful natural grain. The leather is then effectively ironed to flatten the grains for a polished, burnished shine. Each organiser is truly unique, developing over time, much like our heritage products still used today”.    

In reality, I would describe the leather as similar in look and feel to the early Maldens but not as floppy.  It’s not as “buttery” as the Holborn models (especially the Holborn Grey) but it’s certainly good quality, although not in the league of Gillio or Van der Spek.  Initially, it’s launched in three colours – Cognac, Garnet (darker brown) and Navy (blue). There is no indication of country of origin or any claim of ethical production or environmental considerations – just the quality code FEB on mine (suggesting a June 2016 manufacture – not February!).

There are only three pockets – a full length internal on each side with a curved profile at the bottom plus a card pocket on the left.

Images of the front and rear suggest external slip pockets, but I’m afraid that in this size these are merely stitched.  This is a shame, as a slip pocket to hold a rail ticket or similar, would be very useful.

“Flatability” on first opening is good - but not perfect – due to the stiffener used.  It’s not a problem though and will, no doubt, improve over time.  This is what to expect on first opening without contents: -

 
There is only one card pocket but it will take more than one card without apparent stretching and credit cards can be staggered without looking awkward or causing bulging.  Money and receipts fit well in the vertical pockets and the new UK polymer (plastic) £5 notes should fit without needing to be folded, although I’ve yet to see one up here in Yorkshire!

Cards can also go two high in the vertical pockets easily enough.  Alternatively they could go on the rings by purchasing the standard Filofax plastic card holder. One insert will hold four cards and I need to buy one.  One important point to note is that, whilst credit and business cards fit horizontally in the full height pockets, they will need to go vertically if placed in a card holder on the rings (as with all Pocket-sized organisers).

Thin notebooks (Midori, Flex etc) can be inserted into the vertical pockets without affecting the ring mechanism when closed.  This combines the benefits of both bound and ring binder for those who like both!

A Flex jot pad fits perfectly into the card pocket.

The pen loop is on the right and is elastic with a protective leather flap.  This is just about OK and is designed so that the pen sits within the binder cover.

Standard “fill” is in cotton cream (plus a few note pages in other colours) and includes a multi-lingual week-on-one-page diary for 2017.  As already mentioned, the mechanism is only 11mm – enough for me - but bear this is mind if you tend to “stuff” your organiser.  It won’t take it!   It would be possible to use stripped and punched Field Notes Size (140mm) inserts – such as Moleskine but it doesn’t look great in my view.  The binder is actually 141mm tall so there would be no overhanging paper top or bottom.  However, it would interfere with the pen loop.

So, finally, here’s a photo comparison between (left to right and top to bottom) the Holborn Pocket (15mm rings – shown as new with standard fill) the Flex by Filofax Pocket (no rings – shown with my minor modifications) and the Lockwood Pocket Slim (11mm rings – shown as new with standard fill).  Notice, what a beast the Holborn seems by comparison – especially in thickness!  A Malden would show an even bigger difference as it has 19mm rings (the Holborn has 15mm).

It’s early days yet, but I know several other readers here have been facing similar choice options.  It’s also a much needed product to appeal to both men and women.   As an organiser to use alongside a smart phone or as a satellite to an A5 or Personal organiser, I think it offers a lot of potential and is certainly a very welcome addition to the range.

Note – I paid advertised price for this from a UK retailer and the views (and photos) are entirely my own!   It was not offered for review by Filofax Group or the retailer

Availability: The Filofax Lockwood Pocket Slim is currently available from the following retailers that I am aware of at the time of posting:

• Filofax UK
• Appelboom (NL)
• Filofax DE 

Availability with Filofax USA is unknown at the time of publication.


Thank you Tim for two excellent and very detailed posts.