Guidebook Binder

For years, I've taken my guidebooks to Kinko's, had them slice off the binding, and spiral bind the sections I need. I bind pages in geographically-related booklets, often combining material from multiple sources. I also include a few blank pages for my own notes and last minute add-ins.

I cut the pages out of my guidebooks with an Exacto knife, punch a hole in the top left corner of each page, and then put them on a ring...the kind you might use to keep study cards on that open and shut. They easily slide into a side compartment of my suitcase or pack and I can easily put them in my purse or daybag. I can take just the pages I need for the day or rearrange them if I want. I know the idea of taking apart a book is almost physically painful for some people but in this case it works great and saves on weight and space.

I buy iBooks, as many as I think I will need. I've tried binders, clips and X-acto knives but the iBooks work the best for me.

For years now, I've taken my guidebooks to Fed Ex and had them cut the binding off. I take the book home and remove all of the unnecessary pages and have Fed Ex spiral bind that. I like the spiral binding because it's easy to open flat or to fold in half at any page - especially handy when following a map or one of the RS walks. To lighten my load, I tear pages out as we leave a town, sometimes putting a picture or description from the book in my journal.

I dropped by Office Depot last night to ask about slicing off the binding and having the pages re-bound, but they thought they'd have to cut so far in to remove all the spine that there wouldn't be much margin left for the spiral binding. These books are printed pretty close to the edge. Those that have had the binding done, how far in did it go? Still able to read all the text?

All great ideas, but has anybody used the Rick Steves' binders like the OP asked? I also have bought the Rick Steves' binders and am wondering how well they work.

Thanks.

I do not have the RS Guidebook Binder. I realize the OP asked specifically for someone who has used it. However, I have spent half my life in the publishing industry, so it is very simple. When you go to the online RS website store, take time to look at the inset pictures that show how to pull out the pages and install them. Also note that the instructions on the product page say "Our Guidebook Page Binder is designed to hold a set of pages up to ¼” thick." This means if you have a stack of papers/pages from the guidebook that is a lot more than ¼” thick, you will have to come up with another way.

To answer the question you asked, "Can I flip through the binder without all my loose pages flipping out?" Yes, if you don't greatly overload it. A slip-on spine like that is pretty secure, unless you overload it. Then, yes, pages will possibly come out as you are flipping through.

Per the instructions on the product page, also note that the binder is to be unloaded every day or so, back at your hotel room and a new set (¼”thick) of pages put into the binder for the following day, or make that, the next leg of your trip.

To be clear, the binders use is that, when you complete seeing an area such as, say, Bath and the Cotswolds, you are to remove those pages from the binder, and install a new set of pages for your next destination, let's say, install the sections on London that you will be seeing for the next day or two.

The Guidebook Binder is not meant to hold an inch thick stack of papers for your entire trip. It is obviously not designed that way. Large stack = yes, papers will fall out. Small stack (¼”) = no, won't fall out. Like any product, it helps to use it as directed. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the great explanation.

In response to whether the spiral binding cuts off text, I just got some pages from my Italy 2010 book spiral bound at FedEx Kinkos this week. The holes for the spiral come right to the edge of the text, but do not cut anything off. There are maps that span over both pages and anything in the middle can be more difficult to read. This could vary by operator of the machines, but I am very pleased with the end result.

I've never had a problem with the text being cut off. I've probably had 15 RS guidebooks spiral bound at this point.

I spiraled bound mine last year for a italy tip. I'm glad I did and was one of the great tips users provided on the forum. i had no issue with. However this year i just returned from Tuscany and went with the ibooks edition on my ipad instead. I was worried about the screen in the sun butit worked great. I had Rick's books along with some other info I collected in a Apple Pages document and some saved maps all in 1 place. Plus it was nice and light.

I did enjoy a laugh as I walked by other tourists (not just american's) who were carrying around their full 1400 page books (not just Rick's) with them. Cutting the pages out you don't need is great.

Any sharp knife and cutting board works fine for cutting out chapters that you will use. If you cut it out well, the pages will still stick to the binding. If not, some staples will keep pages in the right order. I put each chapter/section in a zip lock bag. When I'm done with that area, I chuck the chapter and keep the baggie for other uses.

What has worked for me is just tearing whole sections out of the cover. Just figure out the pages you want, get a good firm grip, and very slowly peel it from the top out of the cover, sort of twisting as you go. The rest of the pages are left firmly in the cover. The heavy, rubbery glue stays on the edges of the pages and holds the section together well enough for me. It's not sticky or anything. Obviously, this works best if you are pulling out a nice chunk all together, like pulling all of Paris out of the France book, etc... and I'm sure it's not quite as strong as buying a binder, but it's free. I just did it again today, and it worked fine.

I have used the binder and I work for Rick Steves' so I show an example almost daily to walk in customers. Its great for one chapter or so. You don't want to over stuff it. You slide the black binder off. Open the book and insert your pages for the day. Then slide the black binder back on. It works great. It protects your pages for getting wet or ripped. You can easily turn the pages without them falling out or getting out of order. Its a great little affordable device.

I know its hard to cut up a book but its better in the long run. You probably don't need the entire book and there's no need to keep it for your next trip since the details will change.