The idea of a Ring-less binder is an expression of desire by people craving a binder without the pain of the rings. The actual product PER SE did not exist for the last 133 years since the Rings were invented. The expression is mainly used by young people still hoping to find an alternative to a ring binder and is sometimes used by marketers who are aware of that.
And there are attempts to right the wrong in the ring binder:
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It did not escape the attention of designers at the five Star ACCO Brands creating Flex Binder. “It acts like a notebook and binder. The plastic cover folds back over the rings to lie flat like a notebook. Substitute designers used Ties made from steel wire covered with plastic as rings. 1 1/2″ rings hold up to 300 sheets.” Yes, You may call it Ring-less, but the metal wire seems like an overkill, not fulfilling the promise of a flat binder. By addressing the fixed dimension problem of a ring binder, the product is sought after among students in the US.
From our point of view, being assembled with steel wire and other heavy components, it is overkill to use pounds of steel to bind ounces of paper. Still quite cumbersome to handle, almost like it’s an older brother ring binder.
The second iteration of the Ring-less Binder is available in the EU. Not universally known among users and sold
under different names:“Strip-Binder“ or “Loop File”
- I think the lack of one easily recognizable name leads to struggle in the market. Four major companies in the EU produce it. You may bind up to 30-50 pages max, and it is flat and quite handy, but the plastic prongs tend to bend uncontrollably when used extensively, rendering the whole thing useless.
From our experience point of view, this is quite a handy gadget but feels too vulnerable to the touch of the user’s hands. As users report, it doesn’t last very long. -
3. Sold in the EU. Q-Connect Transfer File 35mm Capacity Foolscap Buff or “Transfer Spring File.”
- Spring binder for secure storage and reorganization of documents
- Spring clip mechanism: insert and remove papers quickly
anywhere - The compressor bar keeps records neat
- Easy access to files for quick reorganization
- It fits A4 and foolscap documents
- Capacity: 35mm. (1.37″)
With about 240 pages max capacity, it serves the user better than the “Loop file.”
- Then there are the springs and the metal mechanism that make it flat impossible.
ACCO Presstex Hanging Data Binder, 12″ x 8.5″, 6″ thick
The 6″ (15.5cm) (to carry 11 pounds / 5kg) of paper is Impressive but complicated. Online reviews indicate that not every user can follow assembly directions.
Then we have the mavericks.
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Fastykula “FASTYKULA “The impossible to pronounce name describes the binder used in archives in Poland.
It binds several pages perfectly flat thanks to an uncomplicated combination of Covers and ribbons. We like its lack of pretenses—simple and effective solution.
The last on our list today is the “Ringless Binder.”
Made from a tear-resistant flexible sheet of paper, it no doubt fits the ringless description delivering the same utility as a ring binder with ties instead of rings. The big spine covering the rings is gone, and the empty or full binder is always flat without the added pleasure of dealing with the spine always present in ring binders.
There is one more big difference between Ringless Binder and the rest,
Ringless binders may have more than one spine.
Thanks to the flat unobtrusive profile of the binding ties, It increases the number of bound documents and allows multiple spines to divide papers into separate sections. Quite a wonder in the office world. It comes in several versions.
1) Binder
2) Multibinder Two Spines 350 pages
3) Universal Binder Two Spines 350 pages. It has additional ties allowing to use it for two hole Prong folder punched paper
4) Spineless Binder 800 pages plus
