I bought my first real Filofax, a personal Buckingham, in 2001 at TJ Maxx for $25. I didn't realize at the time what a huge bargain I got. At full price it probably went for over $100. The smooth Italian leather was exquisite, and even now the rings are still solid and tight.
But because I'd only spent 25 bucks on it, I wasn't precious with it at all. I threw it in my bag, I handled it with dirty/ sunscreen-covered hands, I took it all around the world with me and never worried about it. It wasn't until years later, when it had extreme sentimental value to me after years of loyal companionship, that I started to get precious with it. (And ironically, semi-retirement on the shelf next to a Filofax Domino with the strap rubbing the leather caused far more damage than my years of use ever did!)
But I digress. My point is, if I had spent more than $100 on my Filofax, I would have been far more delicate with it, and would not have used it the way I did while traveling, moving, and generally roughly.
Ideally we shouldn't be afraid to use our planners no matter the cost. One of my Great Planner Truths is: The More You Use It, The More Useful It Is. And if we are too afraid to use our planner, it won't be very useful to us. But it is human nature to be delicate with expensive things.
Do you find yourself being delicate with an expensive planner and perhaps using it less than you would use a less expensive one? Or are you determined to get your money's worth from your planner even if it means some dings and scratches?
And as always on Fridays, feel free to discuss anything planner-related!
I don't spend more than 100 dollars on a binder and use my binders not carefully. Things serve me, I don't serve things. That's my philosophy.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been overly delicate with my Filofax, but I do make sure I don't touch it with sticky fingers or spill coffee on it... It gets thrown in my bag with whatever else is in there (at the moment that's a purse, satnav, several receipts, pack of softmints, deodorant, nail file and my passport) so it could easily get scratched! yet it's held up surprisingly well so far, the only damage on it is a little bit of discoloration on the inside where the rings rub the leather!
ReplyDeleteClareio do you mind me asking which binder you are using?
DeleteI definitely prefer binders that can be chucked about. I think on balance I've used my personal Ranger more than any other (in terms of how much actually opened/closed/handled/etc). I have a great deal of affection for it but don't *love* it the way I do some of the others. I got a Personal Holborn a few weeks ago - I've wanted one for ages as I love them, but can't justify the expense, then found this one reduced because the box was damaged. I love it as much as I thought I would, and it's had a lot of regular handling so far!
ReplyDeleteI do tend to freak out with expensive things, but I've also made a commitment to not buying new stuff if I can find a used alternative, so my recent foray into loose leaf has involved almost all used binders. There is quite the assortment oneBay.
ReplyDeleteWhen I had my vinyl FC binders I packed them everywhere and set them everywhere, loaded the rings.no thoughts, they lasted me 5-6 years before the covers tore. $20. Now I find myself protecting my holborn and malden's. It will definitely affect my next purchase because I don't have time to baby a planner, I need a workhorse for everyday.
ReplyDeleteFor me it really doesn't because I won't buy something I am not willing to use. If it wears out, it wears out--though if it was a certain brand and I thought it should have lasted longer I might not purchase that brand again. That happened to me with DayTimer binders.
ReplyDeleteI actually make a point of chucking my expensive Filofax in my bag etc. I have seen so many videos on YouTube where people admit to not using their Filofax for fear of scratching it. I think that is such a shame. I also have a couple of friends who have ancient leather Filofaxes and I love the way they look so well-used and beat up.
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of when a friend bought a Jaguar car and then just left it in the garage because he was so scared of it getting damaged. He actually left the car at home and took the bus all the time! That has always been a lesson to me.
I am also somewhat floored by folks who buy the binder they want so badly and then admit to not using it because it is so nice. Reminds me of living rooms which no one ever enters, vinyl slipcovers, all that nonsense. I seem to be very hard on possessions, Juan is constantly asking me what, exactly, I do that causes clothes to wear out so quickly. I've not got a clue, I definitely do try to take care of things but they seem to wear out. I've given up on pretty much all post-2000 filofax binders because I seem to just kill them; my poor Cavendish came to me looking nearly new and after six months of me it was seriously aging and showing damage. I hate Franklin binders for their look but I must admit the older ones are built like tanks and seem to continue to look great after a year of daily use. My Winchester does not look brand new anymore but I think it shows signs of holding up well over the long haul, another point in its favor!
ReplyDeleteIn general, I don't baby things, but by nature I must go easy on things, because everything stays looking pretty new. I don't use a binder type of planner (I use a hardcover Moleskine), but I have a leather binder-like cover on my sketchbook, and I sort of wish it would wear out a bit faster -- I want it to have a lovely patina. I agree that it's silly to avoid carrying or using a planner for fear of getting it messed up! A planner and its binder are made to be used!
ReplyDelete- Tina
My Buckingham was water damaged on the leather and just tatty, so I got out a stitch ripper (yes, honestly) and removed the tab closure and the inside pockets which were too stiff to serve any purpose.
ReplyDeleteThe mechanism was sturdy as ever, so I made it a new, soft, aqua leather cover. No interior pockets but oh man, it is beautiful now!
Natalie, that sounds fascinating, I'd love to read a more in-depth post about it please?!
DeleteMy FC Boston is leather (and $50, which is expensive for me). I don't baby it. Throw it in a bag. Drink coffee next to it. Eat fried chicken with it. I'm really bad about abusing it. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://giftieetcetera.blogspot.com
I don't worry about mine. It has a few scratches on it but I don't mind. It's meant to be used. The "used" look shows it's used and loved.
ReplyDeleteI actually tend to use the planner more if it is expensive. I feel that I spent the money already. If I don't use it, I am wasting money as time goes by. I also make more careful decisions if I really have to switch to something else. The most expensive planner I have bought is the 1101.com cousin version (I had it shipped from Japan to the U.S. with a fancy cover).
ReplyDeleteNot necessarily by price more by precedence. My favourite pocket is quite a cheap black grain, can't remember the model off hand. Love it to pieces but never use it because I have somewhat of a matching collection in different sizes and I am petrified I'll lose it and break up the collection.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand I have a Smythson binder I picked up at the outlet shop in Bicester. easily one of my most expensive binders. After a few days of owning it, and keeping it in a cupboard to take out and look at, the ring mechanism suddenly fell out. It went back to Smythson for repair but since then I abuse it quite liberally, figuring that not much more harm could come to it.
That's interesting- which smythson do you have, a shiny croc print? If so, how has the leather worn with use? Thanks!
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