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Heritage binders have been my amongst my favourites. Imagine my horror and disbelief when the inside cover of one started cracking and I found out it was PU leather.
ReplyDeleteI feel completely swindled that an organiser marked as genuine leather is only that in part and I am tempted to abandon them but I still really like the format so I thought I might repair it.
I ordered some self-adhesive PU upholstery repair sheets, cut them roughly to size on each side, slid then in so that they were flush under the ring mechanism and then trimmed them off with a Stanley knife. The result is surprisingly effective. There is no noticeable increase in thickness. The binder looks flat as well as it has before. There is even an advantage that the cover is now a little sturdier and straighter.
If I wanted to do this properly I guess I would detach the ring mechanism, unstitch the PU lining and replace it with a fine leather sheet. I really didn't have the time or inclination for that this time (but might attempt it in future on one of my others).
The A5 Heritage I received to review when they first came out. The interior seems to feel like leather. But the personal size one I bought in the John Lewis sale a few years later does seem to be PU leather on the inside. Which is a shame because like you I like the simple design. Hence why I like the MeePlus in A5. it just works.
DeleteThey still list them as leather on their website. There is no mention of PU leather. I feel like this is somewhat misleading to say the least. It puts me off buying any further binders from Filofax, especially when there are so many all leather ones on Etsy by independent makers.
DeleteMay be send their Customer Service people a message:
Deletehttps://filofax.com/pages/contact
I would certainly look at other brands these days, plenty of all leather ones to pick from. Or buy pre-owned good quality ones.
I contacted customer service this morning. It’s trades description stuf and drives me mad.
DeleteMy product code is 76571121 and I have a brown heritage A5 bought via a John Lewis sale June 24. It’s definitely leather on the outside but smoother on the inside so I’m not sure about it.
The reply I’ve had is as follows;
“Lello Lucy,
Thank you for your email.
We confirm that Heritage organiser made by Cowhide full gran leather.”
I’m not sure what to make of it to be honest. They are doubling down on it being leather.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI think mentioning the fact that the inner is cracking might have provoked a more nuanced reply. Otherwise, it just seems like a vague enquiry.
DeleteSurface finishes are often printed/embossed (for instance, all those lizard, croc, iguana print calf leathers). 'Pebbled' leather is also an embossing. Or, in some cases (e.g. Rio), some sort of waxy/putty goop.
I would suggest going back to the CS people and point out that it's the inner leather that we are more concerned about
DeleteJust following up on this - I asked the following to ensure I was clear:
Delete“Can you absolutely confirm that the material on the inner side of cover is leather. The outside definitely is but when one has come apart it has the texture and feel of PU on the inner and it doesn’t soak in leather cream as would be expected.”
And received this reply this morning from CS:
“I can confirm the Heritage is completely leather, there is no faux leather used in this product.”
Perhaps they have changed construction? Mine was purchased from John Lewis a few years ago ( prior to COVID).
DeleteAnyway mine is definitely vinyl on the inside.
The use of materials other than real leather, on items stamped 'real leather' goes back a very long way. The 3CL used a leathercloth for the inner spine, holding the rings in place; this is often found to be cracking on vintage binders. Many binders using 'Deluxe Leather' seem to use a bonded leather on the inner spine, that commonly degrades with age, crumbling to flakes & dust.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice if they were more honestly described, allowing customers to choose wisely.
Ironically, vinyl binders seem to last very well...
I have 3 Heritage organisers 2 personal (Brown and Black) and one compact (brown). To be fair only the black has cracked and that was the one I repaired.
ReplyDeleteHowever I did try to nourish the other two with leather cream which soaked into the outside perfectly fine, but on the inside it just sits on top as it would with PU leather. Hardly conclusive. Perhaps it is treated leather in some way...
Someone here mentioned that they are PU after I said mine has cracked. But I fully believe that. In comparison I found an old seat in storage earlier this year where the leather had dried out and almost turned to paper. It practically drank the leather cream from the bottle and transformed instantly back into supple strong leather. The linings of the Heritage binders most definitely do not do that.
PU or not the quality concerns me if the leather cannot be maintained.
OK I decided to take one for the team...
ReplyDeleteGiven that I have a repair in place which I can reapply, I have lifted this and torn the where the original lining is cracked.
The result?
I cannot speak for anyone else's Heritage, or the ones listed on the current site, but my black personal Heritage is most definitely PU leather on the inside.
I wonder whether this goes right back to the factory? I tend to believe Filofax are certain it's leather, it's a key element of their brand.
DeleteDoes anyone know the size of rings of a Mulberry agenda A6 size postman's lock agenda? Can't find it anywhere. Are they a bit small for practicality? Only as I live near Shepton Mallet now a visit may be useful to their outlet one day................. a GTD someday maybe thought.
ReplyDeleteGiven that the depth of the Agenda is 3cm (30mm) I suspect the rings are 25mm in size:
Deletehttps://www.mulberry.com/fr/shop/men/mens-accessories/mens-organisers-inserts/postman-s-lock-agenda-black-small-classic-grain
Not a postman's lock version, but my strap closure A6 Agenda has 23mm internal diameter Krause rings. If you press the covers together, it is 30mm thick.
Delete