Allan ESV New Classic Readers Edition Black Highland Goatskin

8 reviews for Allan ESV New Classic Readers Edition Black Highland Goatskin

1. Rated 5 out of 5

   Michael R. Drapp – May 5, 2021

   The ESV has been gaining popularity with pastors and congregants since its introduction. As an ordained pastor and chaplain, I have found it easier to preach and teach from the ESV rather than the KJV or NASB. When R. L. Allan recently came out with this edition, I decided to purchase two copies; one in dark green goatskin and the other in purple goatskin. These were sold out so quickly that I was not able to post a review on this website! For those of you used to the Allan Bibles that are produced in the Netherlands, you will feel right at home with this edition. The natural grain goatskin cover is what you have seen in the past, very similar to the Cambridge Topaz and Schuyler offerings. The grain is a bit more pronounced, but not nearly as pronounced as the Allan Highland Goatskin that is being bound by Charfleet Book Bindery in the UK. Overall, the construction and goatskin cover are far better than the Allan Bibles bound by Ludlow Bookbinders. I am very happy that R. L. Allan continues to use 36 gsm paper. For me, it is easier to turn during my sermon and I am not as concerned about tearing a page as I am with the 28 gsm paper so popular today. The ghosting and opacity are not that much better with the 36 gsm paper but I feel that the Bible may last quite a bit longer and have far less wrinkled pages. R. L. Allan is keeping the thickness and weight down, even with the 36 gsm offering, so that it feels about the same as a Schuyler with 28 gsm paper. The edge-lined hinge was very good on both of my copies and will not require much breaking in. Of course, the ribbons are fantastic and the color really pops out at you, particularly in the dark green edition. I found the purple page edges particularly nice in the purple edition and I hope that we see more Bibles with this color in the future. This is a wonderful edition and I am so happy that I purchased two while they were available. If you like the ESV, this R. L. Allan offering is for you, enjoy!

2. Rated 5 out of 5

   Nicholas Sommers (verified owner) – March 30, 2015

   This is my first R.L. Allan Bible, and I will say that after my initial impressions, I’m very happy with this Bible! I think my expectations were so high from what I’ve read that I was bound to be let down, which I was when I first pulled it out of the box. However, I’ve stuck with it, and am so glad I did. Why the let down? From what I’ve read from other reviews and websites, I was expecting fireworks and a symphony to start playing as soon I touched the Allan binding. That didn’t happen, but I have come to really love the binding. It is clearly of the highest quality and does feel wonderful and durable. I just expected it to be softer and somehow blow my mind. I was also let down by the maps which are very drab and few in number in comparison to other high end Bibles. The ribbons are very nice, but thicker than most. You can’t pull these ribbons snug against the top of the book block or you run the risk of tearing a page when you turn the page where the ribbon is. I was initially very annoyed by that, but have since realized all that is required is pulling the ribbon up out of the top a 1/4 of an inch or so and there is plenty of give for page turning. Works great, looks great. I love this text setting of the ESV. It really is a joy to read from! Other initial complaints, the references are a little annoying, since it seems that wherever you are reading from, the reference is almost always at the far end of the page (top or bottom), whereas many other reference systems are laid out in a more convenient way in which the corresponding reference is usually just to the right or left. I’m already used to it though and it is a non-issue. The other initial disappointment, was the slight crackling sound and slight wrinkling in the gutter. That is a major pet peeve of mine with Bibles. However, upon further and deeper examination, I had to remind myself that this Bible is assembled by hand. It is different. The smyth sown packets that comprise the text block are sewn in larger bundles than in most Bibles I’ve seen. That, combined with the fact that it is assembled by hand, makes this Bible handle differently than others I’ve held. It took some getting used to, but now I love the sound it makes when opening and flipping through. It gives it an old-world craftsmanship quality that I read about in other people’s comments. Now I get it! The deep red art-guilding is beautiful! The overall package is outstanding! I love this Bible and will use it as my main Bible for as long as it holds together.

3. Rated 4 out of 5

   william ziegler – February 2, 2015

   Typical Allen quality Bible. The cover is flexible and of good quality. The first few pages from the title page through Genesis chapter 32 are sewn from top to bottom at the spine edge. I guess it is part of the Smyth sown binding. Checked all my other Allans and they are sown like this also. So I learned something today. Great quality cover of goatskin. The cover folded over on front edge almost meeting. The text block was by Crossway. Didn’t have to try to get the pages separated like some Bibles. Also has a table of weights and measures and a concordance in the back. The only thing I question is why they didn’t put a black page opposite the front and back covers instead of blue. All in all excellent worksmanship. I am not a great fan of Crossway text blocks. Price a little high because of this item (the text block).

4. Rated 5 out of 5

   Matthew Walter (verified owner) – August 29, 2014

   This is a beautiful Bible. The usual Allan signs of excellence are evident–sumptuous leather, tight binding, sewn overcasting. In this case, the book block is better than most, featuring the highest quality paper and a simple, clean format. My only gripe would be the rather drab maps in the back. While I recognize that with a Crossway book block, Allan probably had to go with Crossway’s maps, I would have wished for at the very least more. Of course the content is the most important thing. The ESV translation is a worthy successor to the KJV, which I think renders the Holy Word beautifully and accurately. Overall, this is nearly a perfect Bible, which I expect to last a lifetime. I expect it will outlast me, Lord willing!

5. Rated 5 out of 5

   Daniel Underwood (verified owner) – July 23, 2014

   Excellently constructed Bible. My only criticism is that the leather is so soft that the book almost melts through your fingertips—but that’s actually quite nice! Ghosting is not a problem here. I also have a Pitt Minion, and the Ghosting is slightly more visible in this book that in the Pitt Minion, but still perfectly tolerable. This book perfectly lies open when set on a desk, so that my hands are never required when I’m reading it at my desk. I use Pigma Micron pens to take notes in the margins, underline passages, etc., and I’ve never had any feathering or bleed-through. (I wouldn’t suggest using pens other than Pigma Micron, but, I’ve never tried any others.) The text block is perfect, as far as I’m concerned. There isn’t a lot of space for note taking, but for a non-wide-margin double-column edition, it’s actually quite spacious. There are plenty of blank pages after the New Testament for writing down whatever you wish. Outstanding binding, all around!

6. Rated 5 out of 5

   Daniel Fuhrman (verified owner) – April 4, 2014

   The New Classic Reader’s Reference is a worthy replacement for the original Reader’s Reference bible. The form factor of the new version is just about perfect, following the current trend of thinner, lighter-weight bibles. The quality of the paper, printing, leather, and binding is as good or better than any bible you will find today, period. The old Reader’s bible had a different typeface which I actually prefer, because it had just a bit more whitespace in between the rows of print. The old version had slightly larger margins and thicker paper which was ideal for note taking, but it was significantly larger and heavier as a result, and the paper did suffer surprisingly from ghosting which is improved here. I suspect this New Classic Reader’s bible will be viewed as an improvement for most people looking for a top quality, premium, easy to read bible.

7. Rated 5 out of 5

   Terry Green (verified owner) – February 6, 2014

   I received my Allan ESV New Classic Reader on 2/5/2014. All that I can say is, WOOOOOW!!!!! the Highland Goatskin is a beautiful leather to behold. The font in the Bible is a nice size for my 66 year old eyes to read.
   This is my first “high end” Bible. It is also my first ESV Bible. The only other Bible’s I have to compair are my Life Application Bible’s. They are all Bonded Leather. If I could afford it I would send them all to be rebound in Highland Goatskin. They are plain by compairsion.
   Evangelical Bible is a class act!!!!! Their shipping is fast, and their communication with their customers is A1. If the rest of the Bible’s that Allan produces are half as good as my Allan ESV New Readers Edition Black Highland Goatskin they are a steal at double the price…..
   May God bless…..

8. Rated 5 out of 5

   Adam Huntley – January 14, 2014

   Mine arrived last week and this is my first Allan bible. Sumptuous leather. The bible just kind of melts around your hand…very liquid feel. Nice easily read font and page spread. Best bible paper I’ve ever owned as far as minimal bleed through. Love the three long and wide ribbons for my daily readings.

   I’m used to reading a Cambridge Clarion and Pitt Minion so this was a much bigger Bible than I’m used to….but I really like it. At first it was like I was spreading out a newspaper when lifting it up. But know I’m used to it. It doesn’t seem too big to me.

   The construction of this is very solid, flawless, and is living up to the Allan reputation. This bible will be around for a long time (barring that I don’t lose it). I recommend buying from this series if you’re considering it…whether what color you want. But I can attest to the quality of the Black highland goatskin.