[Pen/Pencil Review] The Clipbook Magnetic Clipboard

This week’s pen blog is a bit different. It’s part of the writing experience, but it’s neither a notebook nor a writing instrument. It’s an intriguing thing my Kickstarter Addicted Husband found for us. It’s call the Clipbook, and it’s made in Philadelphia.

The Clipbook is a new design for a clipboard. It doesn’t have a traditional clamp to pinch or bite. It’s run on magnets. It’s designed to be slim, to open like a top bound notebook, yet be sturdy and rigid. The top of the Clipbook is customizable to fold all the way flat to the back or prop open like an easel for easier typing of notes. With the cover folded all the way back the top edge can be used as a pen clip.

The top hinge has pretty strong magnets that lets you get a fair number of pages into the clip and hold them secure. The magnets are also strong enough to hold the cover to the back, the easel shape, or even to attach to cube wall or fridge. I’d just be cautious of it around laptops, computers, or flash drives. The magnets may be strong enough – in direct contact – to affect the drives. It does have a disclaimer/warning about leaving it near anything with a magnetic strip as well.

The rigid covers also provide privacy. With the cover closed, no one can see what you may have been working on – like a padfolio but different. They’re also easily stackable can be placed on a shelf without a burdensome clip. These are covered in a woven cloth material or faux leather, have leather-like grip feet for stability on a slick surface. It’s really pretty cool in most ways.

The numbers:

1. How does it work? – 1 – It works well. Mine is currently hanging on my cube wall for grins and giggles. It does hold paper securely. It stands up as a display stand/easel, and provided a nice, hard back to write on in any situation.
2. Grip and feel – 0.5 – This is an odd category – I like the cloth cover, but the grippy feet come loose in bags and stuff all the time. They work when they’re on, but there’s probably a reason they’re selling replacement grip feet on the website for $3 a set. They’re going to get lost.
3. Material – 0.5 – I’m knocking this a bit because I’m afraid of staining or damaging the cover of my clipbook. These are woven cloth/linen/canvas materials that aren’t easily cleaned (in my opinion). The darker colors will hide dirt better, but mine’s the Kickstarter Mint Green… I can see it getting grimy. The faux leather might be easier to clean
4. Overall Design – 1 – I love the idea behind this design. It’s the best of all worlds – refillable paper (you chose what you want in it). Easy to figure out how to make the stand part (even without the handy instructional insert. It folds flat both for use and storage. It does everything it says its going to. They can even be customized.
5. Price Point – 1 – It’s not cheap, but it is innovative, made in the USA (Philadelphia to be precise) and actually worth it for what it does. These run $29.95 – $39.95 depending on cover and interior. They do feel like they have longevity – and with the options for use – if you write and type in awkward situations, this is a nifty thing to have.

That’s 4 of 5 bronze pencils.