The Filofax Kensington was sold between approximately 1999 to 2003 although it might have been available in some markets after that.
It was sold in a wide range of sizes: Mini, Pocket. Slimline, Personal, A5 Deskfax and A4. Basically all the sizes except M2!
This is an extract from the 2000 catalogue.
I have this model in Pocket, Personal and A5 sizes. The Pocket and Personal size are very similar in construction. Both have quite supple covers, but the A5 and I am told that the Deskfax and A4 are also similar, in that they have stiffener in the covers. As a result my A5 feels very hard and a lot firmer in the hand.
This makes it easy to use if you are holding it and there isn't a flat surface near by to put the organiser on to write on. But it was a bit of a surprise compared to the Personal and Pocket models.
I tend to use the A5 mostly at my desk, so I've not noticed any issues with it being stiffer compared to other A5's I own.
The Pocket has 15mm rings, Personal 23mm rings and A5 has 30mm rings.
I find 30mm rings in an A5 about the right size for me, although I can manage with 25mm in an A5 as well.
My trio of Kensingtons in A5, Personal and Pocket
The inside front of the A5, with 6 card slots, a vertical slip pocket, a zip pocket and business card or 3.5" floppy disc pocket, yes one of those fits!! And a pen loop.
No I don't normally carry a copy of my Netscape install discs! but I had to test it!
The A5 back inside cover has a vertical slip pocket and a horizontal slot to accept a writing pad. And a slightly smaller pen loop.
The front inside cover of the Personal size has eight card slots
The rear inside cover has a vertical zip pocket and the single pen loop.
The inside front of the Pocket size has four vertical card slots.
The back inside cover has a vertical zip pocket and the single pen loop.
If you are wondering about having a Kensington in your 'collection' I'm a little late to the party! We have plenty of past posts on this model:
- Filofax Kensington review - By Anita
- My set up (based on Getting Things Done) - by Anita
- The Goldilocks effect (home in my Kensington)
- There and Back Again: a Kensington's Tale - by Anita
- Personal Kensington flip through - by Anita
- Two organisers I had almost forgotten about!
- Comparing the Filofax Cavendish and the Filofax Kensington
Do you like the Kensington? Do you own and use one?
I use a slimline Kensington as a travel binder. I also had a standard personal size, but sold it, perhaps a bit rashly. The floppiness of the covers is the main characteristic I noted, so it’s surprising to hear the larger models are different.
ReplyDeleteI bought a kensington pocket this weekend, 10 euros in average condition but still usable...(sorry for the translate i'm french)
ReplyDeleteWhere did you buy it? I am looking for a Kensington pocket.
DeleteOne of my favourite filofaxes. Great quality and ages with grace 😀
ReplyDeleteAs you can tell from the list of posts at the end, the Kensington is still my all-time favourite model. The leather becomes wonderful with use, plus the internal layout is perfect for my needs & it also works well as a wallet.
ReplyDeleteI briefly owned a Kensington in the A4 size & didn't know that they existed, so I'm going to have a look at the catalogues on here to see if I can find out more details. It was a super cheap & impulse eBay purchase, but was sadly quite disappointing as the leather was very hard & completely different to my beloved personal one. It was gifted to a friend who has been using it at work to help him run a busy office at an airport, but I must remember to ask him if he can take some photos...
I´m looking for a pocket Kensington if anyone´s selling.
ReplyDeleteI got mine via the Philofaxy Adspot page. Just put a wanted ad on there.
DeleteIve still got my Personal Kensington which ive used continuously since 2002 along with my Pocket Kent, and I also have a Pocket Kensington from 2002 brand new in the box that ive never used, no idea if its worth anything now
ReplyDeleteI have a Filofax Kensington in Personal size, green. Unlike the Kensington models usually described as “real leather” and very soft, mine is stamped “genuine leather” and feels quite stiff. It also has rounded corners, which seems different from most Kensingtons I’ve seen. I’m wondering whether this was a regular production variant or something less common.
ReplyDelete