3-Ring Binders

[mogunus]

Hi. I'm looking for a decent 3-ring binder, us-letter size, optimized for easy page turning so probably round ring. I have tried:

• Staples "better binders"
• Wilson Jones "Heavy Duty" binders
• Avery "heavy duty" EZD binders
• Bindertek Binders
• Several off-brand binders

None of these are good enough. All of them have some misalignment of the rings that messes up the hole-punched paper and catches on it unpleasantly while turning, some more so than others. Of the binders that I've tried, the Wilson Jones and Bindertek binders give the smoothest page-turns. There have been previous threads here on finding decent 3-ring binders, but they are older and hopefully something good has come out since then. My application for this is keeping track of looseleaf research notes, I am willing to spend a whole bunch of money for an excellent binder mechanism that makes the pages easy to turn and makes it easy to re-arrange pages, I don't care what the binder is made of as long as the mechanism is really good. Fancy leather is nice, and I'll pay for it if that's what I need to get a decent mechanism, but otherwise I don't care.

 

I have also tried various springback binders: these give a really nice look to things and page-turn nicely, but are too much of a pain to re-arrange sheets in for use as my go-to research notes repository.

 

Maybe decent binders just don't exist? Maybe I am missing something? I use Rhodia 3-hole punched paper. I'd gladly entertain alternate suggestions for how to organize hundreds of pages of this looseleaf, but it seemed reasonable to use round-ring 3-ring binders. I've tried actual bound notebooks in the past and I really don't like it, since I work on multiple projects at once this ends up scattering the notes across time in the notebooks (one notebook), or leaving me with way too many notebooks to dedicate one per project or per small integer numbers of projects.

 

Any suggestions very welcome. Thanks.

 

EDIT: The Keba ErgoBinder is next on my testing list. It is a bit weird-looking and huge but I have hopes that it will deliver on quality, from videos and such it seems that it employs a "gapless" ring mechanism. Of course, this may trade treating the pages nicely for uncomfortable page-turns, but I'll find out and post a review.

Edited March 22, 2014 by mogunus

[wallylynn]

I'd gladly entertain alternate suggestions for how to organize hundreds of pages of this looseleaf,

The last time I used binders was in HS. In college I switched to a clipboard and simple manila folders. Take my notes during the day, making a small note/header in the corner for subject, date, page. At the end of the day, put the pages in the proper folder. Easy to rearrange. easy to carry (no empty bulk of binders mechanism).

[ac12]

I use various D ring binders and all seem to work fine for me.

The D ring mechanism is attached to the back cover so papers don't get pulled like they do with most O ring binders.

Check the binder at the store and pick the ones that are most in alignment.

[WaskiSquirrel]

I like binders, but I don't find them very portable. I tend to keep them on shelves. This means that they don't get squished or bumped out of alignment.

 

If I need to carry, I use folders or, in a pinch, those folders with the folding metal tabs that function as a mini-binder. Dating and numbering pages keeps me organized if I have an accident.

[mogunus]

Hmm, thanks for the suggestions re: folders, they made me reconsider something. Previously I have kept project files (dated & numbered pages) in manila folders in my bag and such, but I've just never felt good about those being open on three sides. I especially didn't like having to hold them closed to organize and stack stuff. So I did some googling and it turns out that "manila file jackets" exist: essentially 3-side closed manila folders. These are probably exactly what I need, so I'll try those out and likely give up on binders.

 

I'm still going to review the Keba Ergo binder, though. It just looks so darn weird, and I think I have an irrational attachment to flipping through bound pages.

 

Cheers.

[wallylynn]

I've just never felt good about those being open on three sides. I especially didn't like having to hold them closed to organize and stack stuff.

What kind of bag do you use? I had also switched to a messenger bag. The manila folders are more at home in a horizontal (wide) bag than a standard vertical backpack.

[Ada]

Manila file jackets are great. If it turns out that they don't work for your purposes, there is another alternative: book rings. If you need a cover, you can hole punch 2 pieces of cardboard, or file folders, or manila file jackets. I'd rather use a binder, but since like you i haven't found one i like, i've given up and use book rings instead.