When I purchased my first Filofax back in 2009, I didn't know much about binders.
I had come across Philofaxy, but didn't start to really read much until some time later. After a bit of looking around, I managed to find a cherry personal Classic for the great price of around £40 and starting to use it. Sadly after about 10 months of gentle use, I returned it to Filofax as it started to have the bubbling/cracking on the spine that some of the Classics seem to have. It was actually a blessing in disguise as Filofax agreed to replace it with a crimson Malden instead, which I realised was a model I much preferred. If I was buying my first Filofax now, I'm pretty sure that I'd get either a Kensington or a Winchester.
Would you still purchase the same first binder if you were just starting out now?
And as always as it's a Friday, please feel free to discuss anything ringbound planner related.
Have a great weekend.
My very first Filofax-like binder was a knockoff inexpensive brand, and it served me well. I absolutely would purchase it again. It was affordable so I wasn't afraid to use it, and I was able to get a bunch of accessories for it.
ReplyDeleteMy first actual Filofax I got a few years later, a beautiful Italian leather Buckingham for only $25. It led me down the path to Philofaxy, and the rest is history! Again the Filofax binder itself was affordable, but this time absolutely luxurious so I loved using it. But since I'd paid so little for it I didn't feel like I needed to be precious with it and it got loads of use.
All in all, I would definitely do it all again!
My first organiser was my Winchester 4CLF back in 1986......there have been many since then!
ReplyDeleteI still have the Winchester with the inserts I used in 1987 onwards. The only thing that has failed on it is the plastic cap on the popper, I painted the metal dome instead. I've also replaced the plastic ID pocket clear plastic too which aged a bit over time.
It was my one and only Filofax for about 20 years. Not in full time use though. I'm so pleased I kept it.
My first Filofax was an Epping. I dont see the Epping listed on the filowiki page. It's nice brown leather - the Filofax store stenciled my initials there (quite faintly) otherwise I would sell it. I like the Malden's but would like to get a Winchester someday. I carried it thru school. Its full of all things related to b-school and reminds me of my time in Philadelphia back then. Do your planners remind you of a time and place as well?
ReplyDeleteMy first filofax was a zipped pocket one that was bought for me when about 18yo ish. I thought it was a filofax but this past year I found it and there was nothing relating to the brand so it's a cheapo possibly whsmiths one.
ReplyDeleteI didn't use it as I was a kid who didn't use diaries or anything I did spend the Xmas period forever opening it at what I'd written inside.
Then about 12 ish years ago I bought a metropol and a leuctturm bullet journal and a small diary to see which would suit me better. Neither supplanted the other so I used bullet journal and my filofax metropol personal at the same time for slightly different ways.
Then last year as a reward andto get more organised for my new job I bought a used a5 Finsbury. My first leather one.
Then earlier this year a Holborn personal to carry into work with less bulk
Now I have a zipped lyndhurst mini. As its a more portable for days going to work site by bike. Less bulk and weight but with enough for work days.
I have yet to sort out my filofax system to my liking. It's just so messy, confused and annoyingly not there yet! The ideas I have are all logical and make sense but they're not right and I've yet to work out why and how to sort it out.
My first organizer was a Coach organizer with Lefax inserts that my wife gifted to me in 1989. I loved that thing and used the heck out of it until I experienced the familiar pull to other paper platforms (Franklin)-->setting paper aside for Psions and various other PDAs, then back 'home' to the Filofax world last year. Would I buy that one again? 1989 me probably would, but present me is enjoying my variety of Lefax and Filofax binders with layouts that makes more sense for my current life!
ReplyDeleteI dipped my toe with pocket calendars as a teenager. First actual planner was a blank lined book that I configured into calendar and topic sections. One memorable year I was in what they call a "cow book" -- one of those beloved black and white composition notebooks from childhood. Gradually eased into looseleaf binders and then planners made for that purpose. Have used Filofax and VDS, currently in a Mignon.
ReplyDeleteMy first Filofax was a cavendish. I was obsessed with the idea of fitting in as much as much as possible so was only ever interested in models with 30mm rings. I also loved the outside zip pocket which meant I could use it as a convenient wallet too. I also bought a A5 Kendal which was just too big to be carried around.
ReplyDeleteThen I discovered the concept of the big back pocket so purchased a personal VDS touch me. I loved the quality but the floppiness of the leather started to bother me. I also tried a Moterm luxe in both personal and A5 and a versa which were a bit stiffer but i didn’t love the pebbled leather and I realised that I was carrying unnecessary, forgotten stuff around which made the planners to heavy and unwieldy.
This week I purchased a personal lockwood in aqua and I think I have achieved planner peace! I absolutely love the colour, 23mm rings is enough for me, it’s easy to carry - I can even put my phone in the front outside pocket and, like the cavendish, it has the outside zip pocket so I can use it as a wallet again.
Decided keeping one of my cavendishes and my Kendal as these were the binders that kicked off my interest but will sell the rest.