Tri-Fold 6-Ring Binders

I recently had three different tri-fold binders in my possession  by Filofax, Gigliodoro, and Il Bisonte. It seemed the perfect opportunity to take comparison photos. 

First, the personal Filofax Knightsbridge is made of fine lambskin leather and has silver hardware. This binder is by far the softest I have ever owned. On the left inside, there is a full length pocket opening on the left edge, as well as eight card slots.  On the right inside, there is a full length zippered pocket and another full length open pocket behind that. The Knightsbridge also has ring protectors and two pen loops. It closes with a single snap. This is a discontinued binder made in approximately 1999.

Filofax Knightsbridge - Front View

Filofax Knightsbridge - Inside Full View

Filofax Knightsbridge

Filofax Knightsbridge

Next, the medium Gigliodoro 3-Way is made of genuine calf leather and has gold hardware. This binder is firm and structured, and has a generous number of pockets and slots. I counted a total of nine. The fold on this one is wider and meets the rings when closed. The Gigliodoro has one pen loop on the right inside.  It closes with one magnetic snap. This binder was a limited edition  and recently sold out by Luxecadeautjes.nl.

Gigliodoro 3 Way - Front View

Gigliodoro 3 Way - Inside Folded

Gigliodoro 3 Way - Inside Full View

Gigliodoro

Finally, the Il Bisonte INSIDER is made of cowhide, and has brass hardware and gold rings. This binder has a rugged texture and has no filler whatsoever. On the left inside, there are three card slots and a full length pocket. On the right inside, there is a full length zippered pocket. Rather than a pen loop, the INSIDER has a single internal pen slot on the inside right fold. It closes with two snaps. This binder is still available from Il Bisonte, either in its storefronts or online. 

Il Bisonte INSIDER - Front View

Il Bisonte INSIDER - Inside View

Il Bisonte INSIDER

Il Bisonte INSIDER

Personally, the Il Bisonte INSIDER is one of my favorite binders, second only to my medium Gillio Compagnas (not shown here). It sits wonderfully in hand and I have no worry throwing it in my bag. 

Note: I purchased all three of these binders pre-owned and let go of the Gigliodoro 3-Way since these pictures were taken.

Exotic Filofax

I heard some news recently that Filofax USA is discontinuing their exotic line of organizers; including the genuine lizard, ostrich, and alligator ranges. 

I don't own one of the alligator organizers because it's by far the most expensive Filofax organizer made. However, I do own the more modest pocket sized lizard and ostrich organizers.

Here they are perched next to my Gigliodoro and Gillio organizers:

Gigliodoro Medium Compagna in Dark Blue
Filofax Pocket Lizard in Red
Filofax Pocket Ostrich in Buttercup
Gillio Medium Compagna in Dark Blue

Front View

Inside View

The colors, textures, and details are amazing! Very special indeed - the beauty and quality of these organizers is undeniable!

Gillio Siblings

The stars smiled on me and I was able to adopt a medium Gillio Compagna in dark brown. Although I already have one in dark blue and the size and layout are the same, there are some differences between the two.

The dark blue has textured pebbled leather; the dark brown has smooth buttery leather.

The dark blue has gold rings and popper; the dark brown has silver rings and popper.

The dark blue is marked "Gigliodoro Compagna" on the inside left, "Agenda Organizer" on the flyleaf, and "Genuine Calf Leather Made in Italy" on the inside right; the dark brown is marked "Gillio Ferenze" on the inside left.

I purchased the dark brown Compagna from a fellow Gillio Facebook member, Deborah, on December 22 and it was quickly shipped 2-day priority on the following day. The expected delivery date was December 26. However, it decided to take an excursion to San Juan, Puerto Rico for two additional days. Deborah joked that the planner was working on its tan.

At first I thought I would swap between the blue and brown planners, such as I would with purses depending on my preference at the time. But now I think I will use both of them concurrently. The blue will continue to hold important information and the brown will hold my calendar and tasks.

Every Day

I own so many Filofax organizers, so it may be surprising to know that my every day planner isn't a Filofax. I am more of a collector when it comes to the Filofax brand. 

Since August 2013, the only planner I have used is a medium Gillio Compagna in dark blue. It has lovely gold rings and popper. I adore it.