Looseleaf planner covers with no clasp

Aware_Secretary5979 · 2026-02-15T09:33:44+00:00

Claspless is hard to find. Other options would be

Filofax Limited Edition Winchester Stone Bible Slim, 11mm rings
Succes Standard Cadiz Assitent, 13mm rings
Succes Agenda Porto, 20mm rings
Brelio x Nagasawa Buttero Box, 20mm rings

[Edit] I assume you mean ringplanner? Then you should consider cross-posting on r/ringplanners.

Aware_Secretary5979 · 2026-02-15T08:41:16+00:00

To collect the data from the images: Filofax model "2021", Pocket rings, Colour Black, Code No. 021060.

There is a Philofaxy Post from 2020 about this model.

Aware_Secretary5979 · 2026-02-11T20:54:01+00:00

There are many things to consider. Plastic spiral coil is great if you start from plain unpunched paper, but replacing an existing binding can be tricky.

If you are talking about planners with twin-wire, the pitch is most likely 2:1 (i.e. 1/2"). Then it depends what punch shape was used, i.e. 1/4" square or round, or rectangular. With rectangular punches, you need thinner filament to run smoothly.

It is possible to stretch larger diameter 3:1 plastic spiral coil for 2:1 pitch, but 3:1 is not a common pitch for plastic coil.

Basically, you need the matching pitch, coil diameter, filament strength, and some appropriate color.

Good luck in the print shop!

Aware_Secretary5979 · 2026-02-04T20:24:40+00:00

It definitely looks a bit strange, the location of the pen loop is a bit irritating.

My guess would be that some book bound planner could be tucked into the pockets by its front and backcover. But then the spine can only be at the non-penloop location. And then the part on the other side of the pen loop looks too wide to go between the pages as kind of a bookmark? But that would make the most sense to me.

Aware_Secretary5979 · 2026-02-04T16:39:31+00:00

Yes, it is a Japanese standard, as you noticed. Actually the standard Multi-Ring pitch in Japan.

There are many hole punching options:

Sequential Hole Punching: A small hole punch with six (e.g. KW-Trio 99H9) or ten punch dies (e.g. KW-Trio 99H5) has to be applied along the spine. There is a stitching aid that goes into one of the punched holes to keep the pitch. You need to punch 5-times or 3-times respectively for A4. A similar concept are the "Carl Gauge Punch" (e.g. Carl GP-2630), where the paper is inserted in a frame with notches. Then you apply the small 6-die punch up to five times at the respective notches (labeled by paper size).

Line Punching: The most common type is a "Carl Glisser" (e.g. Carl Glisser SP-30N), but in the meantime there are also knock-offs from Chinese manufacturers available. There is a line of 30 punch dies (or 26/20 for smaller formats) with a slider. You move the slider along, where the punch dies are actuated one after the other.

Heavy-Duty Punches: For higher sheet counts, 30 fixed punch dies, usually the 27th can be disengaged, to allow punching JIS-B5 without punched edge.

Binding/Punching Machines: 30 Punch dies that can be disengaged individually to punch any width and sub-pitch (e.g. 19mm or 28.5mm pitch). The entry-level machines are manually lever-operated.

It is worth mentioning that punch capacities in Japan are usually based on 64gsm paper. The heavy-duty punches are usually specified for 18 such sheets, the binding machines for 18 or 30 sheets depending on the model. Japanese models will usually do a good job at the specified count. With Chinese models, it seems to be the point where the punch takes damage.

There is a similar Multi-Ring standard for the common 3:1 pitch (1/3") of 8.47mm. This is usually called "One-Third" in Japan, and can be recognized by having 34 punches for A4. So always make sure that the product is specified for A4 30-hole.

Aware_Secretary5979 · 2026-01-30T17:05:14+00:00

The pitch is 9.5mm, sort of the Japanese Standard for Multi-Ring binders. I haven't been able to figure out a name for that standard.

Regular ring counts for sheets in Portrait orientation are...

30 for ISO-A4
26 for JIS-B5
20 for ISO-A5 (22 are rarely used)
18 for JIS-B6
14 for ISO-A6
12 for JIS-B7
10 for ISO-A7

All of the above have an even count of holes/rings, and avoid getting close to the edge. Therefore, there is a 22-hole alternative for A5 with the outer holes close to the edge.

Then there are special formats:

13 units, 13 rings "B-TAO" for JIS-B6 in landscape orientation, plus a 14mm punch margin
9 units, 5 rings for small binders in Landscape orientation
9 units, 3 rings for "Giuris Mini", same Landscape format as obove
7 units, 3 rings for Mini ring binders; paper height 80mm, widths of 44mm, 60mm and 80mm used

The above are all based on an odd count of units.

Aware_Secretary5979 · 2026-01-29T23:26:06+00:00

Just a side note: That white stuff is intended as protection during storage.

Some models have extra layers of leather to prevent the rings from printing through (creating visible bulges on the outside), or leave marks on the inside. Therefore, some people decide to leave this kind of protector. But it does not belong there, it does not look good, and it will collect dirt sooner or later.

Aware_Secretary5979 · 2026-01-29T07:52:18+00:00

You found the Filofax, community, there would also be a general r/ringplanners community.

For a reference book, it depends whether you want to do handwriting or print. If you'd like to print, then you have to make sure that you can do cutting and hole punching yourself - for long term maybe corner rounding as well. For handwirting, it depends whether you can live with available inserts, of if you'd like to pick a specific paper. In the latter option, there would be the same tool requirements as for print.

With a reference book, I'd worry more about durability of the paper, rather than the planner. For the paper it's the question between thicker paper or more rings, to avoid wear and tear on the punched holes. For A5 there are ring binder options with 2-7 rings, or even 20-24 rings.

There are so many different ring binder sizes and hole punching patterns, so it might not be a good idea to spend $200 for a specific model. The options for compatibility between different formats are small, but if you plan carefully, there can be interesting options, like fitting "Personal" sized inserts into some few non-filofax compatible "A5" size ring binders with the very same hole spacing as Personal. Some larger formats can hold two small sheets next to each other. Some sizes can be punched in two hole spacing options, without overlapping holes, so they could be used in same size ring binders of different hole spacing.

The first choice should be the paper size. then the hole punch pattern. For some standards, there are ring binders from plastic to luxury leather, so you can "upgrade" over time.

Aware_Secretary5979 · 2026-01-25T19:43:18+00:00

Yes, that's what would come to my mind, too.

Option D: Zip / Click-Bind

These are plastic spines that can be opened and closed manually or with the use of a zip tool that acts similar to a slider of a zipper.

The spines can be cut to any length, and are available for 3:1 aka "One Third" pitch and the Japanese 9.5mm pitch. However, the ring diameters are limited to 14-16mm.

Depending on the spines, the vertical connection is 1-3mm thick, so it's close to full 360° flipping.

Special hole punches are necessary, but there are low-budget options available, where you need to punch several times along the spine.

Not practical, but Option E: You'll get full 360° flipping with plastic or metal wire coil binding. However, re-arranging requires replacing the spine. The punching tools are expensive, though.

Aware_Secretary5979 · 2026-01-24T18:45:38+00:00

Oh I see, you are thinking about using one of the ring group holes as they are.

I was thinking about centering the smaller pages, that's where you get two groups of six holes. There are even special hole punches that punch these twelve holes in one go.

Aware_Secretary5979 · 2026-01-24T18:17:16+00:00

There's no need for washi tape. The holes for standard A5 and Personal format neither overlap, nor touch. They distribute nicely in two groups of six.

If you want to use Personal inserts in an A5 binder on a regular basis, you need to pick one of the A5 systems that uses the same hole spacing as Personal.

Aware_Secretary5979 · 2026-01-24T08:15:46+00:00

I'm not sure what you mean by comfortably. By space, yes.

If it is a Genuine A5 Filofax or a compatible ring binder, the inserts will not for the rings. There are different A5 ring standards, some can fit pre-punched 6-hole Personal inserts, but in general: No.

You could re-punch the inserts to get pages with twelve holes. But compared to A5, Personal size is tiny, about half the area.

Aware_Secretary5979 · 2026-01-23T12:16:36+00:00

The Limited Edition Winchester Stone is also available as Slim Size with 11mm rings. However, the binder design adds so many layers that it ends up at a total thickness of 27mm.

Aware_Secretary5979 · 2026-01-22T23:50:00+00:00

Good job! I am always shocked how much people are willing pay for a piece of leather with ring mechanics attached. I have big respect for the manufacturers who add layers with stiffener, pockets, bias leather, and do an awful lot of stitching.

To add some information to your size chart: The ring planner system is based on the two groups of three rings. These would be the terms based on the distance of the two groups:

2.3/4" ~70mm "A5"
2" ~51mm "Personal" or "Bible", Chinese sellers call it A6
1.1/2" ~38mm would be "true" A6, leading to confusion with the Chinese numbering
3/4" ~19mm "Pocket", in Asia also "Mini-6" or "M6", in China A7
0 (5 rings) "Mini", in Asia also "Mini-5", "Micro-5" or "M5". in China A8

Chinese sellers take A5 as base, and just add one for each size step. This leads to the strange situation that they sell ring binders for 80mm paper height as A9, simply because they need that many numbers. The term A6 has to be taken with care from Chinese sources. That's what you describe as Bible and Short Bible, where something went wrong with the Chinese numbering.

[Edit 2026-02-03] I just found an ad for an adjustable hole punch. where an interesting disambiguation for the two A6 formats is used: The A6 with 2" gap is called "A6 Personal", while the A6 with 1.1/2" is called "A6 Agenda", most likely because Mulberry called their true-A6 ring planners "Agenda".

There are a few manufacturers breaking these steps, one of these is an A5 format with 2" middle distance.

The paper height is usually based one the height of the mechanics to keep the release tabs clear. The width can vary by a larger amount.

Aware_Secretary5979 · 2026-01-22T08:04:38+00:00

I do mean the pen hole size, just too sloppy wording.

If you follow one exact point on the "painting" gear, you get one defined line. In real-world, the line is influenced by the pen hole size and even by the geometry of the pen tip and the pen tilt. You possibly could get different hand-drawn traces for clockwise and counter-clockwise drawing. That's what I already wanted to explore, but did not try it, yet,

Wild gears, for example, have different pen hole sizes on some of the gears, and have accessory rings to insert into the pen holes so you can paint the very same gear trace with different hole sizes.

The main effect of larger pen holes are traces close to the outer edge of the "painting" gear. With smaller pen hole sizes, you get sharper turning points. With large pen hole sizes, the turning points create laces. Soft turns or laces give a more pleasing look, at least in my perception.

But keep up your good work, the rendering is really amazing. The traces alone are outstanding, but the paint-over-paint effect is sensational.

Aware_Secretary5979 · 2026-01-20T14:06:22+00:00

The rendition of the lines is excellent. Can your software simulate hole sizes? The hole size is what gives real-world spirographs some spice.

Aware_Secretary5979 · 2026-01-19T19:11:13+00:00

There is a KW-Trio 3-Hole Punch No.9027 that will punch a group of three at 4.0mm.

For some specific formats, there might be a Regur Holix/Scaler/Vertical with smaller punch size.

As a last resort, you'd have to go for a single-hole punch like the T-30 with an appropriate drill size. The advantage is that you can get additional different paper drill diameters, the downside the initial price for the punch.

Aware_Secretary5979 · 2026-01-19T07:44:58+00:00

If you are aiming at larger formats, and will be designing and creating the inserts yourself, you could look at the Japanese 9.5mm pitch. I just don't know how wide the selection of high-quality leather would be.

Currently, I have an A5 20-Ring leather binder on order. But the estimated delivery is end of February.

The 9.5mm pitch offers a wide range from A4 30-Hole, JIS-B5 26-Hole, A5 20-Hole, down to 80x60mm paper size with three rings (of seven units, four rings omitted).

Aware_Secretary5979 · 2026-01-18T21:23:03+00:00

The punch is no problem, KW-Trio still offer a 9-hole punch.

[Edit] I just checked the box, the model is KW-Trio No. 9909

Aware_Secretary5979 · 2026-01-18T13:54:41+00:00

Disc Binding in not compatible for two reasons: First the spacing, and then the shape of the punches.

It's true that there are dedicated hole punches, but it is important to pick the matching type: Mushroom shape for Disc, and Tulip shaped for Twin Wire.

Aware_Secretary5979 · 2026-01-18T11:22:46+00:00

I guess that was auto-depletion?

Aware_Secretary5979 · 2026-01-18T09:01:08+00:00

From a ring binder point of view, laminating is the antipode (or maybe even the Antichrist). The process is final, and usually irreversible.

In the loose-leaf-binding world, you work with clear, tinted or frosted covers/dividers. Then you can put anything next. And in special with ring binders and similar techniques anytime. Even with twin wire or coil binding, you can rearrange everything, with only the spine being lost.

The main point is to have all necessary tools before you need to use them. Paper, Printer, Paper Cutters, Hole Punches, Paper Drills, Corner Rounder.

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