X47 A5 Steel - Review.

[@TheChivasRegal]

Really like the comprehensiveness of your reviews.

[@GrahamRhind]

Thank you!

[@EduardoMartinezMusic]

Really great reviews, Graham. Much appreciated 🙏🏾

[@GrahamRhind]

Thank you Eduardo.

[@EduardoMartinezMusic]

A question on the X47 notebook replacement,@Rhind You had suggested possibly taking out the metal spine bar that comes with the notebook itself, & using it with another notebook brand to adapt it to use with an X47 binder. Is this easy enough to do? Does it require bending the staples/clips that come with the notebook bar? Do they break over time? Thanks in advance.

[@GrahamRhind]

@@EduardoMartinezMusic I haven't tried this yet - I'm waiting to fill a notebook completely first - I have a number of notebooks on the go at the same time. The spine is fixed to the notebook using two metal wires which are threaded through a hole then bent over. They're about as thick as a staple. I think they could be bent back to remove the spine, but metal fatigue would probably mean that this could not be done multiple times.

[@EduardoMartinezMusic]

Hi @@GrahamRhind Thanks, yes, that is what I am thinking about metal fatigue over a few times use. Anyway, thanks for introducing me to the X47 line. I just received an A5 Roterfaden that I am very, very happy with, but I am considering adding a second binder / system for additional materials. Like you, I like the flexibility of using the notebooks I have & love, & not be so bound to a system.

[@EduardoMartinezMusic]

By the way, ​ @GrahamRhind , on the Roterfaden SO_22 which I have (& similar to your other review's model), I have placed thin pieces of cardboard in each of the front pockets, as well as the zipper compartment in the back. It gives this binder enough 'stiffness' that it doesn't bend easily. Plus the cardboard pieces are not visible at all. The covers can be opened without bending (much). I can imagine these 'stiffeners' can also be made from lighter plastic or inserts, etc.

[@mike_qbik]

Nice overview. I am now using Plotter from Japan and its really nice. Great paper, Filofax functions with TN feel to it. Thank you for the overview.

[@GrahamRhind]

Thanks Mike. Apart from the rings, I see a lot of similarities between the X47 Steel and the Plotter range. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on a Plotter Organiser to try it out.

[@poivrefrancais8104]

I had the X47 system for years but had to move on. To say their paper is fountain pen unfriendly is putting it mildly. Even with a dryish extra fine nib you'll get bleeding, feathering and ghosting, Very bad performance forl expensive booklets at a claimed paperweight of 80 gsm . If you're thinking about this system, I'd recommending buying one of their booklets first and testing with you favourrite writing instruments before making the (signficant) investment

[@GrahamRhind]

If you were using inserts from a few years ago, I'd totally agree with you. They have, though, fairly recently (2019 - see kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJ24dKKjpJmpZ5I) changed their paper and improved it enormously to make it fountain pen friendly. I use a fountain pen on these inserts daily without feathering, ghosting or bleed-through.

[@poivrefrancais8104]

@@GrahamRhind Thank you Graham. Not a German speaker but think I got the gist. Will order a couple of samples and run some tests. Thanks for the info

[@poivrefrancais8104]

@@GrahamRhind Ahh, and first time I note the Ddraig Coch. Well done young man. I have the A5 with the 4 steel rods and yes, the bump would annoy me too. So now I only have two booklets in the binder and this works a treat. I'll carry all 4 booklets when I'm travelling and then remove 2 of them on location

[@GrahamRhind]

@@poivrefrancais8104 Da iawn!

[@queenbuzybee4074]

Hi. It’s a great system, but it’s copied from „Roterfaden“, another German company that has been selling this system since around 2006. Roterfaden does them better imho because the metal rods are sewn into the spine. They can easily be removed, but are in „channels“. The paper is fountain pen friendly and I‘ve had mine for 10+ years.

[@GrahamRhind]

Thanks for your comment. I've reviewed a Roterfaden cover here kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHa5kJeLid5od80 . I find the systems very different - I cannot conceive of one being the inspiration for the other. Either way, the first X47 prototype was created in 1987 and X47 was founded in 2002 - before Roterfaden.