Vintage filofax inserts & tabs

I just love the old tabs and inserts, especially the grey onyx/marl type that were standard in many a filofax from the 80's & 90's.
These are dated 1991, with the quite rare A-Z individually tabbed index being from 1997.

No frills filofax

The filofax company had changed hands a few times, over the years. Subsequently it would seem that priorities and direction would have been varied. As a result of changes the likes of the photographed filofax here was produced.
I would described this non named model as the "unimaginative". At a guess I would say that the plan was not involve the design team, use some cheaper leather and rest on our laurels.
That said the "unimaginative" is a practical option today, for this wanting to a basic filofax. It's leather, not the best or tactile, but durable. The rings can be changed if required as they are usually not riveted. Best of all these can be picked up for less than £20.
So if your looking for something not new or sparkly, let's say understated  the "unimaginative" could be an ideal choice.

Filofax Heritage has arrived

Just received from filofax direct and first impressions are great. Having returned another model that had an issue, I decided to try the Heritage as a replacement (all sorted quickly and efficiently). 
More to come once I have used it for a week or two.

I have now been using the Heritage for around a week and can honestly say that I love the it. The leather is soft, flexible, durable and and seems to resist marks or scuffs. I was curious about the rings, as they seemed very slightly smaller to me than other personal size filofax. Specs say 25mm rings, well that depends where you measure, but they are smaller (approx 2 mm) than other models that are said to have 23mm rings? 

That said what I really love about the Heritage is that it feels like a notebook, like the 0clf it is emulating I think that it will appeal to many. There are no pockets of course and that will rule it out for some, though it does have a leather insert that houses a pen and has an open top pocket, split at the rear to house cards etc. The big unexpected bonus is that my iPhone 7 easily slides into this and stays put, other phones like Huawei honor 8,9 and Samsung S8 also feel at home in the insert. 

For the reasons I have mentioned this is probably my favourite model and one that I shall continue to use.

Filofax refill pages

The pages I cannot do without are the Month on two pages, for my personal size filofax. I can write where I plan to be, any events such as birthdays, holidays, meetings, and appointments etc. So I use it for planning and for reminders.

I have been asked many times as to where I obtained these pages, however I designed and produced them myself. The month is over two pages, but also in  between each month there is a single page, to log any key notes from the month, plus a page to log notes or reminders etc for "The month ahead". I have pictured them below and will happily make some for others whom like them. I will list them upon ebay and my eBay name is "faxifile", where you will see several different designs as well as any binders from my collection that I am clearing out.

Filofax Domino pen loop repair

Does your filofax Domino or Belle have a torn or worn out pen loop? If so a quick and easy method to repair these is to do what I have done to the pictured filofax pocket Belle below. 
Cut off the pen loop with scissors, this should reveal a slot in the material, use the scissors to cut an opening in the slot, this will then create an opening accessible from behind the pocket/sleeve. Put a flex pen holder into the sleeve and poke the elastic loop through the hole created. Mark and cut any card from the pen holder that sits past the inside pocket /sleeve.
The Belle filofax below now has a working pen loop.

All blue filofax personal... Or are they

My favourite colour is blue, so naturally a filofax in this colour is going to appeal, especially when there are so many wonderful shades of blue.
I have put together some blue personal size filofax from my collection and pictured them below. There is a Navy Cavendish, Teal Cross, Electric blue Finsbury, ink Cuban, Pale blue Cross and a Navy Soho.
I know what you are thinking, that Finsbury is purple and yes you are correct, however filofax named it "Electric Blue".

Filofax Cuban affair

I beieve that the filofax Cuban, is one of the most tactile organisers I have owned. The obvious padding, silky  smooth Italian leather and the rich colours equal a luxurious combination.

The Cuban was available in most sizes also zipped or strap closure in Personal & A5. A range of colours that included black, saddle brown, chili and ink, so there was a model for almost everyone.

This model wears well and does after some use fold almost flat, though I did give my chili some good old bending and manipulation before starting to use.

Some may note that my Chili Cuban is not as it's original colour and this is because I have died the exterior to tone down the brightness (I could not get hold of an Ink version at the time). It is now more of a maroon on the outside, however I left the interior as it was. This was done as I just felt that I wanted to make it a teeny bit more masculine (my opinion only) and I was pleased with the results as the contrasts are great. 

Filofax Hamilton Zip personal

I came across this this afternoon in the box of many I have yet to use. It's a very practical organiser the Hamilton Zip and the leather is stunning. Still has all the original papers and the 2001 diary within.
I would have to slim the contents from my current Malden, as I suspect that it won't hold quite as much, therefore it may go back in the box.
Just thought I would post this as I have not come across this model too often.

Extra pen into a Malden

The photograph of my filofax Malden with a laminated flyleaf sheet, a piece cut out to provide a great location for an extra pen and also allows the Malden to be close easier, especially when it is as full as mine.

I made the flyleaf from some old maps, laminated and punched them.

The Malden is one of the filofax models that you can really pack with papers etc, though not recommended by the maker, but the rings on some filofax models seem to be better quality than some others and on the Malden they are good and tight.

Lefax papers

The monthly view pages from a 1960 Lefax sales representatives kit. The month is upon the right hand page in landscape view, the left hand page being the rear of the previous month, is used for notes and comments.
I find these really great to use and have many examples of some interesting Lefax papers, of which are from a Lefax sales representatives kit for the years 1960 &1961. This includes eight sections with samples of almost every sheet that they produced. It even contains bankers cheque examples and sheets that promise to pay the bearer of, from the bank named. Too many to list but I will post some more soon.