Thanks very much again to Paul for this next instalment of his wonderful guest post series.
You can find all of the 'Filohax' posts here.
Filofax Winchester Ostrich skin review
After lusting over photographs of 'Buttercup' Ostrich skin Winchesters and being unable to justify the crazy prices being asked (and accepted) for them, I resigned myself to only ever viewing them from afar. Then out of the blue a black one popped up for sale on a website that rhymes with 'she may'! It had definitely been around the block a few times - but I like that in my vintage binders - it also made it within a sensible price range. I can't tell you the rigmarole I had to go through to purchase it, but eventually it arrived and for all of its rough and shabby edges I love it.
Except I didn't love the barely closing ring mechanism... I could use it, but you know that feeling when something isn't right? I had that feeling, which was harshing the good vibes I got every time I picked it up and felt the quills...
To the rescue came a Hamilton I had previously acquired for free. It was a perfectly good personal sized Hamilton - scruffy looking (which as I've said, I like), but I found it a little bit bulky and heavy, so I moved out and it had been storing inserts for a while.
However, the Hamilton's rings were perfect, so I decided to swap them into the Ostrich as this was going to become my daily work binder. One thing I did notice whilst handling these two binders was the difference in weight - the Ostrich skin is noticeably lighter, and as I carry my Filofax a lot at work this would make a big difference.
I'm over the solar system with the results - the Ostrich skin has been my work companion for over three months now. This binder, although once an 'exotic' is my workhorse (I should say 'Work-bird!') like my other work binders before it over the last three years:
- My original Winchester 23mm I bought in 1989
- Cavendish 30mm
- Winchester Cognac 23mm
- Gloucester 23mm
- Albany 23mm
- Gloucester 23mm
- Portland 30mm
- Argyle 23mm
- Winchester Croc 23mm
- Hamilton 23mm
- Winchester Ostrich.
There's something rugged yet light about the Ostrich (paradoxically the world's heaviest bird!) - the black colour masks the rich texture of the quills - until you feel it. But it's the lightest weighted Winchester I've held.
A few months in and the wear that was visible (top and bottom where the metal clips of the ring mechanism touch the leather) - has advanced so that the metal is starting to show through, and it won't be long until slivers of ostrich skin will be shearing off...I can't wait! I know, to collectors this must sound maddening, but the value to me is in the use, and the visible effects of a job well done.
I'll post again in a few months with updated photos of the wear and tear.
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