Video Web Finds - Wednesday 23 April 2025

I hope you have had a good weekend.

Now it is time to enjoy a great collection of videos from around the internet.

Here are a selection of the latest Filofax videos for your enjoyment.

1. Let's get these planners updated and plan my day - Tiffany’s Plans
2. Gillio Compagna XL - Kerri Pouliot
3. My 100 year old personal organiser - Flatability 
4. Escribamos diario juntos - Planes y Diarios
5. Why I'm STICKING With Filofax - My Nomad Planner
6. This week's releases & restocks (week of April 21, 2025) - Gillio Firenze
7. How To Actually Use Your Planner Every Week (Even When You Don’t Feel Like It) - MyLifeReBranded
8. Review - Mulberry binder (NOTE - A6, not personal size) - Flatability
9. Q1 Planner Check in | What's changing and what's perfect? - Aligned Plans
10. Detailed Flip of My Planner | Dusty Blue Vintage Aurora | FC Compact | Personal Wide Inserts - Buy Sell Plan Inc.
11. Setting up my A5 Van Der Spek Touch Me as my Social Media planner - MyLifeReBranded
12. 2025-2026 redating guide UPDATE! reuse old planners The Happy Planner: easy tutorial to redate - lizzuplans
13. Plan WIth Me || Franklin Classic Laura Binder || April 21 - 27, 2025 - Sandra Dahl
14. Meeting up with Planner Friends | Mini Vlog | Sharing Goodies - Tiffany’s Plans
15. Setting up my A5 Taupe Moterm as personal agenda - MyLifeReBranded
16. Pink Planner Cover Comparisons; Moterm Dusty Rose, Quartz, Gillio Lotus & Bujoplanner Mauve - Sujey Plans
17. toute ma vie dans un agenda de poche - Life with Hope
18. Filofax Wochendeko KW 16 - allesaufpapier
19. Inside My Filofax Collection - Claudia Văduvescu
20. Unbox Filofax 'The Original' Turquoise Leather Planner (Personal size) - JediUp777
21. filofaxギルフォードの内側の革を剥がしてカードポケットとペンループをカットした【システム手帳】 - しゅん 手帳と文具
22. Avril dans mon Filofax personnel - nadiaaplans
23. jouer dans mon agenda - peindre, gribouiller et décorer - Life with Hope
24. Personal Rings Setup & PWM April 21-27, 2025 - Life with Lisa Ann
25. Filofax Wochendeko KW 14 - plannerandotherthings _
26. Planifiez avec moi dans mon Filofax ! - nadiaaplans
27. New Filofax Saffiano Rings - Hobinichi Layout Update - Easter 2025 - Savannah Delphien
28. システム手帳の中身、大公開〜！/M5とミニ6の使い分けは？/Ritsno，Filofax Malden - Orisa Channel
29. Your YouTube video could appear here. If you have a YT channel that features Filofax organisers or similar, please let us know. (steve at philofaxy dot com) Alternatively ensure your video contains 'Filofax' or 'Rings' in the title or description. 

• Please leave a comment on any of the videos you enjoyed and mention you saw a link on Philofaxy. 
• For tips on how to improve your videos, please see this post.  Also this video too Webfinds 
• Your Filofax/Organiser Videos could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list. 
• Consider joining our Facebook group - Filofax for Philofaxy fans
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Free For All Tuesday - No. 742

What questions or discussion points have you got for us today?

It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or a more experienced user of organisers, we want to hear your thoughts, questions, opinions etc.

We are here to answer your questions.

Make today the one day you post a comment or post a question. If you are commenting as 'Anonymous', please include your name in the text of your comment. 

It is Tuesday after all, so fire away with any questions and comments.

If you are commenting below, please include your first name at the end of the comment. Thank you. 

Gillio A5 Compagna

For the last couple of weeks I've been revisiting my Gillio Compagna A5 in Navy Blue. I bought this a few years ago when they released the navy blue, definitely my sort of colour!

It originally came with 25 mm rings, but I've retro-fitted it with 30mm rings and they work just fine with no issues of overhang of the tabs and pen etc. 

Because the Compagna only has one pen loop I'm using a pen loop that fits on the clasp which came from Moterm, not the same colour I know but it works! Gillio now sell similar accessories, I will have to see if they do them in navy blue. 

This arrangement does work though and allows me to use my usual pen and pencil combination in my organiser. 

The internal layout suits my basic needs just fine. 

The back cover has a zip pocket and slip pockets too. It's a shame that the interior leather doesn't extend under the pockets. This is the back, but the front is just the same. 

Despite only having one fitted pen loop, I enjoy using the A5 Compagna, it's got quite a heft to it and the quality of the leather is very good and it does lay flat even with the full width back pocket. 

Silent Sunday - 'Filohax' Vintage on vintage No. 7

 

Argyll 2CLF 7/8 / Brooke Bond Picture cards

Web Finds - Saturday 19 April 2025

It is time to enjoy a few blog posts from around the internet, grab a drink and make yourself comfortable for our weekly round-up.

Here are some Philofaxy posts you might have missed this week:

1. Web Finds - Saturday 12 April 2025
2. Silent Sunday
3. Insert Exchange
4. Free For All Tuesday - No. 741
5. Video Web Finds - 16 April 2025
6. Guest post series - 'Filohax' No. 18 - Paul
7. Free For All Friday No 858 by Laurie

Here are the latest Filofax and other brand blog posts from around the Internet. Don't forget to leave a comment on the posts you enjoyed reading, all bloggers enjoy getting comments.

1. Is this authentic? Looks like a Winchester - Filofax 
2. Release: Real Ostrich! 14 April 2025 - Blog | Gillio
3. The History of the Pocket Slim Filofax: Series Introduction - Notebook Stories
4. What do you use your filofax for? - Filofax
5. Bullet journal vertical weekly spread using the Zonon stencils - All About Planners
6. Garden Personal Compact Zip - Filofax UK - BLOG
7. The Emotional Bank Account (pg. 215-234) - FranklinPlanner Talk
8. The History of the “Pocket Slim” Filofax: Part 1 - Notebook Stories
9. Paper ripping? - Filofax
10. Episode #306: Natural Planning Model Stories - Getting Things Done
11. Showing off my 40-year-old filofax — it’s retired now but I still love it. - Filofax
12. Why your bullet journal isn’t working (and how to fix it) - Sam Alderson
13. The Power of Writing Things Down - FranklinPlanner Talk
14. Filofax mentioned in novel - This Bug's Life
15. online filofax - Filofax
16. Link Love: Tariff-ying Future - The Well-Appointed Desk
17. Web Finds – 16 April 2025 - Travellers Notebook Times
18. Your blog post could appear here. Please let us know if you have a blog that features ring bound organisers.

• Please leave a comment on any of the blogs you enjoyed reading and mention that you saw their post mentioned on Philofaxy. Thank you
• We monitor over 400 blogs and sites, your Filofax/Organiser blog posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list. 
• We can not guarantee people will read your posts, but we know there is a higher chance of people reading your posts and returning to read other posts if you make them interesting with pictures and good hints and tips. 
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Free For All Friday No 858 by Laurie

A5 Kendal Filofax

I noticed the Filofax Reminder App with the QR codes are in place for most of A5 size 2026 dated inserts, and some of the Personal size ones. I wonder how popular (or not) those have been this year and if the QR codes will persist beyond the 2026 inserts.

I get their point, I do often leave my A5 Filofax at home unless I know I'm going to need it. Recently I've started using a pocket size day per page diary/ planner as a satellite to bring out and about with me. I don't need to do much synching; I mainly use the little diary if I'm out running errands and need my list of things to do with me. I suppose I could just use a piece of paper, or even a Filofax page that I could put back in my binder when I get home. Any of those options would work.

Edited to add: I'm also considering using a Personal size Filofax as a satellite to my A5. My A5 could stay home and the Personal could contain my calendar pages plus some notes pages, just the things I would need when I'm out of the house.

Do you take your Filofax everywhere? If not, do you use a satellite system, either on your phone or on paper? Do you use a smaller Filofax as a satellite to your larger Filofax?

As always on Fridays, feel free to ask and/or discuss anything ring binder organiser related!

Guest post series - 'Filohax' No. 18 - Paul

Thanks very much again to Paul for this eighteenth instalment of his wonderful guest post series.
You can find all of the 'Filohax' posts here.    

Cavendish/Portland big rings review 

 

L - R Cavendish and Portland Grand

Having recently purchased a Portland 5/4 and planning on reviewing it, I realised that the best way would be by comparison to another of my 5/4 ringed Filofax binders - the Cavendish. 

Portland 5/4 background

I had heard tell of the Portland Grande before - a rare beast in recent times (at least to me, I had never seen one for sale for anything near a sensible price - to me - in the 2 1/2 years since my return to Filofax use). So, when a sensibly priced Portland '5/4' came up for sale, I just assumed that it was an early iteration of the Grande - and quickly 'pulled the trigger' on the sale. According to the seller (who had acquired it from a house clearance), it was old stock from a stationery shop. 

First impressions
All of my previous binders have obviously been 'pre loved', however the Portland looks as if it had been on display at some point and then put away, as the leather appears very dull and dry. The idea for a comparison review came from not being able to put my finger on what was different about it and my other large ringed Filofax. 

In quick comparison with my Cavendish 5/4 and Winchester 5/4, it looks like with the Portland 5/4 the Filofax designers have solved the 'uncanny valley' syndrome - the feeling that previously they hadn't just been able to 'scale up ' 5/4 binders from the classic 7/8 bible sized proportions. 

 

Don't get me wrong - the Cavendish 5/4 and Winchester 5/4 are beautiful binders - but in delivering a larger ring capacity, the proportions had evolved into having a wider proportion compared to their height. To counter this, the Portland's height has been increased in proportion to the increased width needed to accommodate the extra insert capacity. 

The Portland designers had also learned the lesson from the Cavendish of keeping to a skinny closure strap, a mistake made on the earlier Winchester 5/4's which had assumed that scaling up the proportions of the strap would retain the classic Bible size 'DNA'. Wrong - if you compare the straps you can see how sticking to the original depth proportions of a 7/8 strap makes the Cavendish look 'right' and makes the earlier Winchester 5/4 appear clunkier. I put this down to the fact that the physiology of our fingers hasn't changed just because we got a larger capacity binder! 

First impressions summary of the Portland 5/4: it looks like a 7/8 bible size 'classic era' Filofax... with big rings.

Comparing Cavendish and Portland
Leather: Cavendish - minimal padding, very fine glossy deluxe leather, patinas very well. Portland - very padded, coarser grain Matt finish, doesn't appear to patina well 

Flatability: Cavendish - 100%. Portland - 80% 

Front covers: Cavendish width 156mm 

 

Portland width 148mm 

 

Straps: Cavendish strap width 15.5mm. Portland strap width 17mm 

Pen loops: Cavendish front loop - can accommodate a Frixion pen. Cavendish back cover loop - just a pencil. Portland front loop - can accommodate a ballpoint pen. Portland back cover loop - just a pencil 

Inside front cover: Cavendish - x8 credit card slots, X1 full height pocket which is quite accessible 

 

Portland - zipped pocket, which due to its gusset gives very good access to the pocket space (unlike the Cavendish back cover zipped pocket) 

 

Rings: Cavendish - excellent.  Portland - excellent 

Inside back cover: Cavendish - X1 secretarial pocket (open across top edge) is THE best accessibility of all pocket configurations. Also X1 full length pocket with good access.

 

Portland - X6 credit card slots (which gives better security than inside front cover ones of the Cavendish) plus X1 full length pocket with good access. 

 

Back cover: Cavendish - vertical zipped pocket, very neatly done but lack of gusset restricts access.

 

 

Portland - the strap is stitched nearly 20mm from the back cover edge, making it look inelegant compared to the Cavendish. 

 

Spine: Cavendish - rounded, following the curve of the rings. Slightly embossed 'F' 

 

Portland - square spine, doesn't sit as naturally in the hand. Pronounced embossing of 'F'. 

 

My summary
Of course, all of this is subjective - I love my Cavendish, Winchester, and now Portland 5/4 ringed binders for different reasons. But now that the dust has settled, the Cavendish beats my Portland 5/4 for one reason - the leather. When you open the Cavendish cover and read the embossed 'Deluxe leather' description - this is the difference that matters. For me, the way a leather binder feels in the hand, and ages with time is the deciding factor in its quality. The Cavendish took all of the bumps and scuffs and turned them into 'character'. It's too early to tell, but so far the Portland just looks 'scruffy'... I would love to know what you think, especially other 'big ring' owners.  

 
Postscript
To overcome the lack of patina from its long storage, I've put it into daily use as my work binder, and as such, gets treated in the same way as my previous work binders - it's in and out of work bags, has other items thrown in with it, opened on various surfaces and generally 'used'. It's still only a few weeks in, but the matte look seems to show up the slightest bump and scrape, making it even matter still. 

Video Web Finds - 16 April 2025

I hope you have had a good weekend.

Now it is time to enjoy a great collection of videos from around the internet.

Here are a selection of the latest Filofax videos for your enjoyment.

1. Project Notes Change Everything - Carl Pullein
2. Seguimientos - Planes y Diarios
3. Do this if you're stuck in a planner RUT - Aligned Plans
4. April Planner flip - Planner fun and inspiration with Melissa
5. Planner Unboxing Standard Rings VDS - Dana’s Desk
6. Filofax mini rings and Plotter mini 5 dupes - Kati plans
7. VDS pocket stardust | Моё планирование 1 - Minimalist&planner
8. New VDS Mandarino planner & planner pouch from xandriamarie!! - SimplyAviance-AviPlans
9. The Only Productivity System You'll Ever Need - Carl Pullein
10. It was a mid PWM emergency / chatty PWM/ personal rings / Gillio undyed Amica - Beverly Plans
11. Franklin Planner Podcast Episode 3: The Power of Goal Setting - Franklin Planner
12. This week's releases & restocks (week of April 14, 2025) - Gillio Firenze
13. Which paper works best for me? - Filofax, Clairefontaine, Silvine. - Flatability
14. Plan With Me || Franklin Laura Classic || April 14 - 20th, 2025 - Sandra Dahl
15. DIY Franklin Covey Compact dividers for my Personal Filofax Domino - Lisa
16. Week 15 Planner Reset & Plan With Me | Dune Moterm Luxe 2.0 | FC compact Inserts | PWM - My Moxie Dreams
17. Planning for the week ahead In multiple planners (A5,Personal and HP Classic) - MyLifeReBranded
18. Switching both of my EDC binders today. Plotter, MeePlus, Filofax. - Flatability
19. How I Recap My Week and Set Goals for the Next | Real Time Plan With Me - Buy Sell Plan Inc.
20. My professional planning - first and second quarter of 2025 - Plotters, ringbinders and Remarkable - Colorful planner mother of 3
21. Filofax Wochendeko KW 13 2025 | Plan with me | heartsfailing - Heartsfailing
22. Vlog de réinitialisation du printemps ! comment éviter de vous retrouver submergé par le nettoy - Life with Hope
23. 【手帳開封】Filofaxオリジナルミニブラックを開封！どうやって使っていこうかな？Nagilifelog #047 - Nagi
24. Ma collection d'agendas vintage s'agrandit - Christa David
25. Après le travail, je planifie dans mon #sterlingink #b6 slim et je change mes anneaux de poche - dollycreating
26. Repurposing an old planner for my Filofax personal rings ... My Catchall Planner. - Nalani's Bookshelves
27. Planea conmigo Abril 2025 | Planner Filofax - Joana Lizeth
28. My Pocket Planner Mulberry Filofax 2025 - saltytwentytwo
29. Unboxing of a Filofax Lockwood personal size - plans and pastimes
30. Flip Through Functional A5 Ring Planner For Work | Erin Condren Ring Planner - Planning Annie
31. Vegan Leather A5 Agenda Binder - Priyanka P. 
32. Your YouTube video could appear here. If you have a YT channel that features Filofax organisers or similar, please let us know. (steve at philofaxy dot com) Alternatively ensure your video contains 'Filofax' or 'Rings' in the title or description. 

• Please leave a comment on any of the videos you enjoyed and mention you saw a link on Philofaxy. 
• For tips on how to improve your videos, please see this post.  Also this video too Webfinds 
• Your Filofax/Organiser Videos could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list. 
• Consider joining our Facebook group - Filofax for Philofaxy fans
• Follow Philofaxy on Reddit
• Follow Philofaxy on Threads
• Follow Philofaxy on BlueSky

Enjoy