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Do you have a favorite Bible maker?

Discussion in 'Bible Versions & Translations' started by Thermodynamics, Jan 25, 2009.

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  1. Thermodynamics

    Thermodynamics Member

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    I am not talking about translations/versions here, rather I am speaking of printers/binders/publishers.

    What do you look for in terms of quality when you buy a new Bible?

    I know that Cambridge used to be the "gold standard" among Bible publishers, a Cambridge was supposed to last a lifetime. However, i bought a new Cambridge Concord reference Bible bound in calfskin almost four years ago. The leather is a nice quality, but the binding stinks, it is already falling apart.

    I have bought three Bible since then, all were "genuine leather," but on two of them the leather was of such poor quality that I sent them off to a book binder to get them rebound in a good quality leather. I had one done in Nigerian Goatskin and the other in a good calfskin. I tend to have a relationship with my Bibles and I don't want to have to replace them every few years and lose my notes.

    I find that the "genuine leather" used these days on Bibles is a stiff hard stuff. Poor quality and unpleasant to touch seems to be the rule of the day.
     
    #1 Thermodynamics, Jan 25, 2009
  2. mcdirector

    mcdirector Active Member

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    I just noticed we are neighbors! Welcome!

    I've noticed that too, although I've seen a few folks that blog about Bibles discuss the attributes of a really well made leather Bible, I stopped trying to buy one and just buy hardbacks because they seem to hold up better.
     
    #2 mcdirector, Jan 25, 2009
  3. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    I still use my 1945 KJV (Cambridge). It was a gift as I was entering Bible College. I think it cost £5.00 at the time. The leather cover is worn, but in decent condition. I did crack the binding too much in Genesis and about fifteen pages are looseleaf now.

    I am not sure about the quality of newer copies of the same Bible. I also have a 1969 Oxford edition of he KJV. I already has a break, again in front. Maybe that's me and not he book. Otherwise it is holding up well. Wife got it for me as a pulpit Bible...larger print.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
    #3 Jim1999, Jan 25, 2009
  4. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    I picked up a copy of an NASB that Charles Stanley created several years ago. It has a thick, genunine lether cover, great binding, and good page thickness (for a Bible.) Of course it's only been used for about 5 years now, but it is very durable. It was also very expensive, but I think it is worth it.

    I'll toss out there that one of the sad things is many Bibles (and books) made now are lacking in lasting quality. I have a copy of my grandfather's pulpit Bible made in the 1920s that is in amazing shape and has tons of notes. It is very hard to find that kind of quality today.

    Perhaps the thing is that you must spend some good money on a copy.

    I've switched over to electronic text for attending services. Makes it easier imho. Also I have about four versions that I can cross reference.

    This is a very interesting thread. :D
     
    #4 preachinjesus, Jan 25, 2009
  5. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    I have used a succession of old Scofield Reference Bibles. They ALL break in Genesis 3 and begin shedding pages.

    So got a new one in 58 when I was baptized.
    Another to replace it in 65 when off to college
    Another to replace it in 73 for my ordination after seminary
    Another to replace it in 84 when teaching in Bible College in Dallas
    Another to replace it in 96 when teaching in Bible College in Minnesota
    And still using that one, but only on Sunday morning as a pulpit Bible.

    All of my notes for teaching/preaching now contain my own + other good translations, so the Bible I carry is just to look up a verse to answer a question or such. I'm so familiar from 50+ years with a Scofield that I can tell you where on the page to look, even if I've forgotten the exact zip code.

    Now I prefer hardback study Bibles on the table around my computer as I'm typing this. Have the NIV Study Bible (great notes); the MacArthur Study Bible; the Reformer (New Geneva) Study Bible; the ESV and just added a Holman.

    Hard back resource study bibles are the best choice for me!! No binding or faux leather problemo!!
     
    #5 Dr. Bob, Jan 25, 2009
  6. Thermodynamics

    Thermodynamics Member

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    That is a pretty good record! I doubt that any new Cambridge would survive 64 years of regular use.
     
    #6 Thermodynamics, Jan 25, 2009
  7. Thermodynamics

    Thermodynamics Member

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    With new Bibles I don't think what you spend is the issue. The last 4 Bibles that I purchased were the best quality of that edition that I could find and 3 of them had quality issues. With new Bibles you do not get what you pay for.

    I had never thought of taking a electronic Bible to church with me, but I like it and may have to explore that idea.

    Glad you like the thread.
     
    #7 Thermodynamics, Jan 25, 2009
  8. Thermodynamics

    Thermodynamics Member

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    Here is what I want to avoid, in a perfect world once you buy an edition you should never have to buy that edition again.
     
    #8 Thermodynamics, Jan 25, 2009
  9. Thermodynamics

    Thermodynamics Member

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    Here are a few pics of the Ryrie that I had rebound in Nigerian Goatskin. It has three ribbon markres, silk endpapers and lays open even at Genesis 1.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    #9 Thermodynamics, Jan 25, 2009
  10. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
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    Very nice! Where did you have it bound?
     
    #10 StefanM, Jan 25, 2009
  11. Thermodynamics

    Thermodynamics Member

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    This one was done by Paul Sawyer (former owner of Lakedale Bindery in London). Mr. Sawyer has been a bookbinder for 40 years and has done work for the House of Lords, The British Museum and even The Queen.
     
    #11 Thermodynamics, Jan 25, 2009
  12. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    So many of my Bibles are not great quality since I bought them when I was a teen or early in our marriage. I do have a newish ESV that I LOVE because of the cover and the way the pages feel as well as the size of it. It is the ESV Personal Size Reference Bible in "cool mint ivy design". Here's the link to Amazon:
    http://www.amazon.com/dp/1581346816/?tag=baptis04-20

    However, hands down the best quality Bible we own is my husband's ESV Bible that he got when he was ordained. It is from R.L. Allan and it's the most amazing piece of art. Honestly - I'm an equestrienne and have high quality leather saddles. This Bible is amazing - the way it feels, smells, stays open from Genesis 1 to the end. I'd love to have one of my own but I can't justify spending that kind of money on a Bible for myself. Hubby's was a gift from our senior pastor and the church. :)
     
    #12 annsni, Jan 25, 2009
  13. Thermodynamics

    Thermodynamics Member

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    Allan & Sons in Scotland is known for making great quality Bibles, one of these days I need to get one.

    I think that the ESV has some of the most interesting cover designs out there right now. Most are bound in TruTone which is the next best thing to real leather, or a good choice if you don't want to kill an animal.
     
    #13 Thermodynamics, Jan 25, 2009
  14. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Not that cover design is important to me - that's not the Bible ;) - but I LOVE my Bible and it's feel. It is that TruTone and it really does feel nice. I was shocked at how nicely this Bible feels and for only $20!! Not bad! Oh and it's small but not so small I need my reading glasses to read it. :)
     
    #14 annsni, Jan 25, 2009
  15. Thermodynamics

    Thermodynamics Member

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    Of course the cover of a Bible is much less important than the words that it contains, but I do think it matters to some degree.

    1. The Bible is the most important book I own and to me it should be set apart, different than all of the other books that clutter my house.

    2. The Bible is the book that I will read more than any other book I own. For that reason it should be bound in a way that will cause it to last.

    3. Because I am going to be spending so much time reading this special book it should be designed in a way that appeals to me.
     
    #15 Thermodynamics, Jan 25, 2009
  16. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    Here is a photo of my 1945 Cambridge KJV,,you can see the break in the binding.

    [​IMG]

    Sorry it is so large,,Thought I had it shrunk
     
    #16 Jim1999, Jan 25, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 25, 2009
  17. Thermodynamics

    Thermodynamics Member

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    I'll bet that old worn-out Bible is very special to you!
     
    #17 Thermodynamics, Jan 25, 2009
  18. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    Indeed,a lot of sermons in that old Bible...I will try to get a print of the cover for you,,,once I figure it out again...

    Some of those note shown are older than a lot of people in here......:saint:

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
    #18 Jim1999, Jan 25, 2009
  19. Thermodynamics

    Thermodynamics Member

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    I'd love to see the cover photo and the spine! I am sure a lot of the notes are older than me. I think it is so cool to have had the same Bible that long.
     
    #19 Thermodynamics, Jan 25, 2009
  20. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    I just read on another thread a post where someone was upset about a genuine leather bible that is not very old but is not lasting.

    I read somewhere that bonded leather lasts longer than genuine leather Bibles these days - or someone told me that.

    I actually have a couple of Bibles that are hardback and the others are bonded leather. I go through Bibles pretty fast in terms of seeking out new versions or study Bibles, so I don't invest in leather. Also, I write notes in my Bibles, and I like to start fresh every few years because I don't want to get into the rut of my notes or be limited by them.

    I think my NET Bible is genuine leather, but that's the only one. I use it mainly as a reference for its notes.
     
    #20 Marcia, Jan 25, 2009
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