Our best approximation for arrival in our warehouse is mid June.
Black Goatskin cover with Red Calfskin liner
3 red ribbons and red under gold art gilt
Page size: 6.1″ x 9.1″ x 1.1″
11 pt. font with words of Christ in red
Cross references and Concordance
See Descriptionbelow for more details.
Our best approximation for arrival in our warehouse is mid June. You will be notified by email the day your Bible ships out of our facility. If you have not received a notification, we are still waiting for the shipment to arrive.
The highest rated Bible at evangelicalbible.com.
Black Natural Grain Goatskin, Red Liner, Ribbons: 3 red ribbons See Pictures Here.
Page size:6.1″ x 9.1″ x 1.1″ (156 mm x 231 mm x 29 mm)
28 GSM Paper
Font: 11 pt. Milo
Double Column, Verse-by-Verse format
Single Column, Verse-by-Verse format for Psalms
Ornamental Drop Caps Italics for supplied words Words of Christ in Red. Presentation and Family Record Pages
Epistle Dedicatory & Translators to the Readers
Line Matching to avoid “see through”
55,000 Cross References
Concordance
Glossary of King James Terms
Art Gilt Edging (red under gold)
Gold Foil Spine Stamping
Schuyler Bible Maps
Reviews
83 reviews for Schuyler Canterbury KJV, Black Goatskin Bible – PREORDER
Rated 4 out of 5
Steven A. Giordano –
Like so many of the reviews…I love my Goatskin Schuyler Bible! I know many comments say it is difficult to find anything negative to say, but in my case, it is not so difficult. When it it comes to the Bible itself and its craftsmanship, nothing short of excellent! However, the same care and attention to detail is not found in the ribbons. In fact, on many websites and Evangelical Bible, you can see the fraying of the ribbons in many different images. There is also no consistency if they are cut straight or angled. My ribbons starting fraying within weeks of using my Bible. In fact, they got so bad, I removed them all together. Put the same care of workmanship and attention to detail in the ribbons, and hands down…there is no other Bible in the market place that even comes close!
Pastor Steven A. Giordano
Rated 5 out of 5
bethpalmdale –
What can I say that hasn’t already been said about this magnificent book? It is just beautiful, in every way possible, crafted with the finest materials and the look and feel is beyond what I had imagined. If you are looking for an heirloom that can be passed down, do not hesitate to buy this. It is worth every penny and more, and I am so glad I chose this one!
Rated 5 out of 5
Ron Smith –
My wife ordered me this Bible and it is completely amazing. The black goat skin is awesome. The color shift from gold to red on the page edges is fantastic. This is my very first Bible and I couldn’t be happier. I’m almost afraid to touch it. It’s that nice. The leather is all stitched with a nice gold trim under the seem. This is going to be the perfect family Bible for us. I thank God and our Lord and savior Jesus Christ everyday for showing me the way to his word. Also I wasn’t supposed to get my Bible until Wednesday but the Lord shined his light on me and I got it 2 days earlier Amen. I would recommend this Bible to everyone. May God bless you all.
Rated 5 out of 5
Randall Sortino –
This bible is a 10 out of 10! From the time you open the box it is a work of art. Flawless construction and wonderful feel. This is the best quality bible on the market. Easily the best purchase I have ever made.
Rated 5 out of 5
nickbangels –
10/10. This bible, from both a material and a spiritual standpoint, is as close to perfect as you’re going to get in this present age- period. I say “almost” because I can only find one, maybe two, minor faults with this bible (that I will get to last). And if you’re wondering how it compares with other bibles in the world today, let alone in it’s class – it has no equal, and it’s nearest “rival” isn’t even close.
THE PROS
THE TRANSLATION:
The most important reason why this is the best bible on the market today, is because this bible actually contains THE English written Word of God: the Authorized Version, also known as, the King James Version in the pure Cambridge Edition. I know what you’re thinking – but don’t worry, I will not preach “KJVOnlyism” here. But I will have to point out that, since this is a review about the rating of a bible, the main quality of which I must evaluate any bible is the quality of translation, truthfulness and accuracy to the original Hebrew/Greek manuscripts. Now despite popular opinion and the general consensus is among these brilliant scholars we’ve had through the years, the Schuyler Canterbury achieves perfection in this category by publishing this bible via the Authorized Version (pure text of the Cambridge Edition). Bravo Schuyler.
*Just a quick word of advice for any believers reading this that may be in need of some guidance regarding translation matters: go to God and pray about this and try to discern what God thinks about the different bible translations before you go seeking your favorite pastor or favorite theologian’s opinion. Do this before delving into the internet research you will undoubtedly do. The arguments that will come your way will sound very intelligent and may seem overwhelmingly convincing, and the endorsements of one side over the other by popular religious leaders may seem overwhelming. Proof-test these arguments for the truth, using the Truth (1 Thessalonians 5:21), and search the scriptures daily to see if what you’re hearing checks out (Acts 17:11). You’ll need His guidance if you are to discern the truth about bible “translations” in this world of smooth talking scholars that may very well be smarter than you and I. But just because they are intelligent and educated doesn’t mean they are leading you to truth or know what they are talking about (1 Corinthians 1:27) – so stay in the Spirit on this issue and hold fast. And don’t worry either way, if you are truly one of His, you will eventually come out of this knowing the truth – though the sooner the better, for your sake.
2) THE HIGHEST QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP:
The next reason why this is the best bible on the market today, is because of the simply superior craftsmanship and material here. If we ignore the translation itself, one cannot deny that all three of the top premium bible publishers, Schuyler, Cambridge and Allan, produce some exquisitely crafted bibles. However, when it comes to material quality and premium details, Schuyler reigns supreme (taking the crown from Allan). The Canterbury is is their finest example of such. The Canterbury goatskin leather, is the 2nd highest quality goatskin you can possibly buy (with the famed highland goatskin from Allan barely edging out the Canterbury to remain in 1st place as far as goatskin leathers go). It is plush, soft, sturdy, grainy, unique, natural and beautiful. I would say it is an enlarged but exact replica of the goatskin featured on the Cambridge Clarion, but the Canterbury leather beats the Clarion leather by featuring a fully leather interior liner, no polyurethane, and a striking gold trim around the entire edge of the inner cover, while featuring the same superb outside stitching and feel. The art gilding is top of the line, as it is on thick, boldly, neat and tasteful. On par with Allan, albeit with a slightly different color and slightly better than Cambridge’s art gilding which is just perhaps a bit too light. The bible opens up flat in Genesis and in Revelations – it better for this price. I’ve never concerned myself with seeking high-quality bible ribbons, I really don’t care too much about ribbon quality as long as they work. But I have to admit, out of all the bible ribbons I’ve ever seen, the three that come with the Canterbury are noticeably better than anything else I’ve seen or own. Almost looks custom made. They are weighty, thick and scream quality. The paper is nice and thick too, 36 GSM and creamy yet opaque. The font is one of its strongest features as it sports an 11 point font and is extremely readable. The size of the bible is large – this is not a hand-sized bible but it is not unmanageably large because of the remarkably thin profile of the bible (relative to the length and width). I was expecting a behemoth of a bible but was surprised by how portable it could be if I wanted to travel with it. Now while you could take it with you everywhere you pleased, the size demands that it be perhaps your main stay-at-home bible, but this will depend on your own special needs and preferences. If you want a more balanced blend of the Canterbury features with a portable size/weight then you might consider the Schuyler Classic (Westminster) KJV Bible or the Cambridge Concord KJV – These are both noticeably smaller and more portable bibles that have many top quality characteristics as well.
3) THE BEST POSSIBLE TEXT & FONT LAYOUT/FORMAT
Now I know this may appear to be subjective, and one could argue such, but the two column verse-by-verse format featured here is the best service you can do yourself in terms of choosing the format of your bible. While the world races to embrace the single column, paragraph-styled formats, the Canterbury defiantly remains verse-by-verse and double column (Song books are single column but still verse-by-verse). However, it does so in such a way as to virtually eliminate distractions from the text. Cross references are neatly bunched at the bottom, leaving a visually arresting and almost breathtaking expanse of scripture, nearly scripture alone, in your face – with only the occasional subject headings and soft-red verse number to further remind you that you are reading a bible. Besides making a couple argument points in defense of the verse-by-verse over the paragraph format, I won’t go into the pros & cons of verse-by-verse double column here, because I could take up a whole book arguing in defense of the old verse-by-verse. But I will say that if you have any inclination to think, that it might be plausible, that God Himself might actually have anointed the 1611 KJV bible to be THE version of the written Word for the English speaking people in 1611, and the English speaking people today, then do yourself a favor and Google images of the text format of the 1st editions of the 1611 KJV bible and behold the format that God was pleased to use in order to help His people study, meditate and memorize the scriptures for roughly 400 years. The format, style and even the stylistic drop-caps are breathtakingly similar to the 1st Authorized/King James Bibles ever made. Could there have been a reason for this that is spiritual and Godly, and that is not simply logical/scholarly/psychological/traditional, as to why these men used unapologetically, in-your-face, verse-by-verse formatting in 1611? Don’t get me wrong, I get it. I actually prefer the single-column paragraph-style format myself and it was very hard to give up my lovely Cambridge Clarion when I switched back to verse-by-verse. But I have since been convicted that the way God intends for me to study and meditate on His Word – is through verse-by-verse format just like He moved the thousands of Christians before me to do. I know I sound crazy. And I’m not going to try and defend this reasoning here today. But I will say that the easier ability to memorize His words and the ability to meditate on scripture via bite-sized-chunks (verse-by-verse), is not something to dismiss but something to appreciate. Countless times I’ll see people in the elevator with their phones to their face, scrolling speedily through their Instagram feeds and Facebook feeds, flying past post after post, liking pictures and liking comments on the way, so very quickly, barely digesting anything they see for longer than a second. I can’t help but think, there are those that would like the bible experience to be just the same ya’know? While we may prefer to speed-read through the bible with, an allegedly, more accessible paragraph-format bible and “get lost” in the scriptures, as some have argued, to retain better context they say, it would be best to recognize that perhaps our own pride is leading us to believe that we are smarter than we think we are. Or that we don’t need the helps that verse-by-verse format provides our minds subconsciously. Or that we don’t need the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth – incorrectly thinking that perhaps we can decipher with clever theology the things of God or perhaps we could employ fresh, new, hip reading formats in order to know God better. Look, I don’t know why they chose to use verse-by-verse formatting when they published the 1st editions of the Authorized King James Bible (scholars would argue that it was simply tradition and the KJV borrowed from earlier folks – I doubt that is the primary reason, but if that’s true, then fine: give me the same tradition that was good enough for Martin Luther and Charles Spurgeon and Martyn Lloyd-Jones and the other thousands of men and women who were after God’s heart). Nor do I know why God continued to choose to use verse-by-verse format bibles to reveal Himself to the masses and to uphold roughly 400 years of faithful Christians. But maybe, just maybe, could it be that by breaking down scripture into verse-by-verse formats, our puny brains that could never even begin to comprehend the bible, the scriptures and the things of God without the Holy Spirit there to guide us – just maybe this verse-by-verse format could serve to benefit our limited abilities to comprehend such weighty thruths that are not of this world? Maybe to actually encourage us to slow down, to wonder about the Word we’ve just been given, and to give us a greater opportunity to meditate on each and every word? Verse-by-verse helps us do just that… Time for Him to speak to us in between the lines? To perhaps take time to reflect? To repent? But I digress.
– – – – – – – – – – – – –
THE CONS
(these are minor, rather, nit-picky complaints)
1) THE JERUSALEM CROSS/STAMP BRANDING ON THE FRONT
I absolutely adore the very handsome and aesthetically pleasing blind stamped Jerusalem cross on the front of Schuyler’s bibles. It’s very cool, I must admit. Yet, I have to at least disagree with it being featured so prominently on the front cover of the bible, and at most: contest it’s selection as the symbol/brand for Schuyler. This symbol has a rich history, it is true, but that rich history at least causes one to ponder whether we want to embrace a symbol that, some would say, represent war, violence and destruction. Now I don’t necessarily agree with this negative point of view, because I see no reason to doubt the motive behind the claim of the symbols’ creators: that this symbol represents Christ. However, I do see how other people could attribute the symbol to something else – an unnecessary battle to fight, so to speak. How about embrace no symbol at all and leave the cover either blank (my preference) or simply say Holy Bible? That’s it. But hey, after much research, study and prayer, I eventually decided that nothing has moved me to take any strong objection or position on the history of this symbol. It could be that I simply don’t know enough about it yet, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be comfortable with seeing this logo on a daily basis and could live with it being stamped right there on my bible. But hey if I could change any little thing about this magnificent bible – it would probably be this.
2) LACK OF TRANSLATOR FOOTNOTES:
Now in the spirit of keeping with the same train of thought, I expressed reasons for seeking to imitate some of the text format of the 1st printed edition of the KJV and I commended the Canterbury for doing just that. Which is why I am almost equally as puzzled as to why the designers chose to omit the translator footnoes. The translator footnotes are not some modern invention or trend to shy away from, but instead, an inherently basic component of the 1st editions of the KJV bible – not to mention a basic component of almost every produced bible in the world today… While I suppose omitting the footnotes do help increase the Canterbury’s already impressive ability to provide us with a format that proudly displays the Word of God front and center with minimal distractions, I can’t help but think that leaving them out of the bible was an unnecessary sacrifice and weird departure from the 1611 KJV Format they seem to have followed up until this point. Is it a big deal to me? No. But it was at first, and almost prevented me from buying this bible. But then I was reminded to weigh more heavily the objective and purpose of even buying this particular bible in the first place – and it was not to have another study bible, reference bible or commentary, so as to do more research – I have other bibles, books and tools for that. But it was instead to finally own a highly-readable, highly-durable, stunningly beautiful, perfectly accurate and faithfully true: bible. A bible that featured an exterior that evoked enough seriousness to render one curious about the seriousness of the interior. A bible with uncluttered text, whereas I could simply read, study and meditate on the written Word of God with minimal distractions. Lord knows I sometimes have had a tendency to want to pause studying my bible so that I could rush over to my computer and perform a “quick” exegetical word-study on every unfamiliar word I’d come across – perhaps doing without translator footnotes, at least sometimes, would do me some good. Quit relying on men and translators to teach me the bible and instead rely on the Holy Spirit to show me everything I’d ever need to know. (1 Corinthians 2:10-16).
____________________
So that’s it. This bible is no doubt my favorite. It will no doubt be my main “daily-reader”. And it is one that I am very thankful for having found. 10/10, and nothing really comes close. The Schuyler Canterbury is 1st place: In the medium-large bible category, I’d say the Schuyler Classic (Westminster) Reference Bible is the 2nd best and the Cambridge Concord Bible is the 3rd best. In the small/hand-size category of bibles, I’d recommend the Cambridge Cameo being the 1st best, the Cambridge Pit Minion being the 2nd best and the Cambridge Clarion being the 3rd best (Clarion is 3rd instead of 1st only because I think it’s best to study scripture verse-by-verse. If not for that, then the Clarion is the best KJV on the market, bar none – it is superb.) And yes, I did not include Allan KJV bibles in my rankings even though I think they are a very close 2nd to Schuyler in overall bible craftsmanship – I just cannot in good faith recommend the Oxford Edition of the KJV they have been binding, when Schuyler and Cambridge are still producing tried and tested, error-free Cambridge Editions of the KJV. Hope this has helped somebody out there. Peace and Love be with you always.
Rated 5 out of 5
Ken Schlichenmeyer –
I would like to update my review if the Canterbury KJV from Schuyler. I have been reading the black goatskin since September. Recently I broke down and purchased the Dark Forest Green Calfskin Canterbury KJV edition, just two weeks ago. Both are lovely. Goatskin is so very supple. The Calfskin is soft but not as suplple. I am a minister. Both covers would be excellent for preaching, same block. It’s just a matter of personal preference. You cannot go wrong with either choice. If you are a fan of the KJV the Canterbury is the best reading version that I have found. I also, would like KJV fans to give consideration to the Schuyler Classic KJV. It is a wonderful alternative. It is based upon the Trinitarian Bible Society Westminster edition. The same excellent qualities that are in the Canterbury are present in the Classic but in a different forum. Whereas the Canterbury has 11 pont font, the Classic has 9.6. I can read both with my presbyopia. The 11 pont font is a easier read. Yet the Classic is a great read as well. The Canterbury presents the Psalms as poetry in a single column, the Classic keeps to the more time honored tradition of keeping to the two columns. The Classic has some intriguing features, 200,000 cross references placed at the outside margins, not in a center column, I like that feature. Also, those troublesome words we struggle with are explained at the outside margins as well. The use of pronouns is given an explanation at the front of the Bible. This is very helpful. These are two different approaches to the KJV. I highly recommend both of them for your consideration.
Rated 5 out of 5
Ken Schlichenmeyer –
I ordered my Schuyler Canterbury Black Goatskin Bible on September 13, 2017. It arrived at my home within three days (thank you evangelicalbible.com, especially Karen for your excellent service). I don’t want to bore you and re-hash all the points of the previous reviews. I would say: what they said! I do want to briefly comment on why this is a wonderful edition of the KJV for me. I want to start with the 11 point Milo font that the text is printed with. I need to use reading glasses, not by choice, but by necessity. All of my other Bibles had much smaller fonts. However, even with reading glasses, I struggled to read the text. I have no difficulties with the 11 point font. Also, the color of the paper, a light cream color was a pleasant surprise. I had hoped it was going to be a bright white paper. Now I am glad that it was not. It is so easy on the eyes when you read a number of chapters at a sitting. I can’t say enough about the Goatskin, it is very soft, subtle and luxurious to the touch. If you love the KJV of the Bible please give the Canterbury from Schulyer a try. I selected the Goatskin. But I am sure that if you select the Calfskin you will be just as pleased as I am!
Rated 5 out of 5
Neal –
I just received my Canterbury KJV Bible today. I had a few concerns upon ordering this Bible, such as the flexibility of goatskin versus stiffness of calfskin, and the color black versus some other choice. As it turns out I am well pleased with the goatskin and don’t find it too flexible and the black color looks better in real life than in the pictures. I am extremely pleased with the references located at the bottom of the page allowing for a much larger font in the actual scripture’s text. Being older and having poor eyesight the larger font is great. Overall it is a beautiful Bible with the Jerusalem Cross embossed on the front cover and the gold lettering on the spine with gold over red on the edges. The artistic red capitals for each chapter give this Bible a nice old world charm and I feel the descriptive headings throughout the text are helpful and not obtrusive. The Bible helps in the back of the Bible, including maps, were all tastefully done. Though I have read the King James Version for most of my life I still feel the King’s English section will be helpful. Regarding delivery, I currently live in Asia and received this Bible, as well as two other Bibles I ordered from Evangelicalbible.com, within a week. I have given this Bible a five star rating. An impressive Bible and with Evangelicalbible.com’s service I would heartily recommend this Bible to anyone.
Rated 5 out of 5
Manny –
I absolutely love this Bible. It has the best text block I’ve ever seen and I have many premium Bibles. Everything about the KJV Canterbury black goatskin is pure quality. It is also the ONLY 1904 pure Cambridge text Bible on the market in many years. If you are a King James Bible believer this is the Bible you will pass on to your children. Thank you Schuyler and evangelicalbible.com
Rated 5 out of 5
Clinton De Abreu –
Schuyler took a 400 year old piece of literary art & made it an phenomenal heirloom to be past on someday.
All the exceptional Schuyler qualities with an excellent book block, beautifully appointed, with the most wonderful font & all brought together to bring focus to that wonderful drop cap letters.
Rated 5 out of 5
Timothy Dodenhoff –
I already added a review, but would just like to add that this Bible is a perfect size, smaller than the NKJV, NASB and ESV put put by Schuyler and hope all the reg size Bibles they make from here on out are the same size, its really a perfect size, not too big and not too small. Thanks Evangelical.com and Schuyler.
Rated 5 out of 5
Kyle McGraw –
I just received my Schuyler Canterbury Bible. AMAZING, the quality of this Bible is absolutely outstanding. I had high, high expectations the whole time I was waiting on the shipment and when I opened the box and removed the Bible all my expectations were met. The Goatskin is super soft and beautiful and the page quality is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I am beyond pleased and I have nothing negative to say. I presume this Bible will last this preacher a long time!
Thank you,
God Bless.
Rated 5 out of 5
Daniel Hill –
My Schuyler Canterbury edition arrived December 22nd just in time to preach the Christmas Day message! I purchased the black goatskin edition. The craftsmanship is absolutely beautiful. The page layout is tasteful and honors the heritage of this translation. It is well deserved like the honor and respect due to a faithful elder. The font size perfect for preaching (and Lord willing) will allow for us to grow old together. Without a doubt this will last a lifetime. I love the section headings as they are helpful. This is the chancellor of my collection and was granted pulpit tenure twice a week. I highly recommend this edition to anyone who reveres the King James Version of God’s word. This is the first Schuyler Bible I have ever purchased and all of you have done a fabulous job. You should be proud of yourselves.
Rated 5 out of 5
Brian –
As an owner of many quality bibles, from Cambridge, Allan, and Schuyler, this is the best KJV I have ever owned. The quality is superb. Feels great in your hands. Font size is great. If you had to pick one KJV, pick this one.
It would be great if they made this in wide-margin. Also, would willingly give up concordance for a smaller size Bible.
Great work!
Rated 5 out of 5
Shelli –
This is an update to my previous 3 star review. Thankfully, I am happy to be able to give five stars and report to you all that this company does care about their customers and will make things right if you have a legitimate complaint. The customer service handling this return was outstanding and they sent a replacement that was in perfect condition and carefully packaged in surprisingly fast turn around time. We are very happy now and will buy from this company again.
Rated 5 out of 5
Terry Thomas –
I honestly don’t think I can add anything to the wonderful things that have been said in the previous reviews! Overall it is probably the best KJV Bible on the market!
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a wide margin Canterbury (with maybe a 9.5 – 10 pt bold font)? Hint, hint, hint!
Rated 5 out of 5
Stephen –
Let me preface this review by saying…out of all the high end bibles I’ve ever purchased…this is the ONLY one I’ve EVER written a review for. From my perspective; that says A LOT.
My Canterbury just arrived. Here are my thoughts: but first, a bit of background:
This is only my third Schuyler bible. I’ve owned over 30 Allan’s over the years. When they first came out a few years back, I bought a first edition Quentel NASB in imperial blue. Honestly, I wasn’t impressed. If you were…great. But I wasn’t. I ended up flipping it on eBay for a fraction of the price. It wasn’t a bad bible per se…it just so happened that what it did well and excelled at, wasn’t something that was of immense importance to me when doling out over 200.00 for a bible. Like most things in life; food, music, entertainment, etc…the esthetics of high end bibles are very subjective and varies from person to person. One man’s dream is another man’s eye roll (and vise versa).
After my experience with the Quentel, I’ll be honest: I have somewhat ignored Schuyler. I’ve mostly been focussed on Allan’s, rebinds and Crossway’s. But since taking a liking to the NLT I decided to get a Caxton in green goatskin. I was quite impressed. It is BY FAR the best binding and paper you will find for an NLT. In my opinion, it’s far superior to the Quentel.
With the above history set in place, let me just say…it takes A LOT to impress me when it comes to high end bibles. After having owned over 40-50 the last 4 years or so, I think I’ve blown out my dopamine levels. You know “that feeling” you get when you first open the box and you see those puckered corners bulging from the paper wrapping? Yeah, THAT feeling. To see it there bidding you to unwrap it and at long last smell of its leathery perfection as the watery binding droops in your hand. There’s just nothing like it. (Hello, my name is Steve and I’m a high end bible-aholic). Whether we realize it or not, I think some of us get addicted to high end bibles because of “that feeling”.
Yes, I know; we also like to see the Word of the Living God commemorated and bound in a most fitting, elegant and vibrant way. I agree with that and share those feelings as well. Believe me, the thought of a paperback bible causes me to have to repent of Pharisitical thoughts. But if we’re honest with ourselves, once “that feeling” goes away…so often we end up selling a bible that at one time felt as if the tangible presence of God came wrapped within a yapp. (You know who you are). Or perhaps it’s just me…but I doubt it.
Anyhow, I got off track. Back to “it takes a lot to impress me”. Having just unwrapped the Canterbury in black red lined goatskin…let me say…I’m beyond impressed. Honestly, it felt as if I had just opened my first Allan. I kid you not. When the Canterbury won the bible of the year in the poll that Luis started, I thought: “Yeah, the only reason it “won” was because it JUST came out and people still haven’t come down from the dopamine overload of “that feeling”. But, nevertheless, I quietly placed an order for one and thought “lets see for myself”.
In regard to my head wagging theory of “it won because it JUST came out”…yeah, I was wrong.
Not that it didn’t produce “that feeling” because it most assuredly did. But Schuyler hit the nail on the head in EVERY aspect. The binding, paper, art headers, raised hubs and just the overall majestic beauty that the Word of God truly deserves. Pictures truly do this bible NO justice. I know you’ve heard that before…but I REALLY mean it. It must be held and seen with your very own eyes to truly experience the work of art that it is. I have never, and I mean NEVER felt such a buttery goatskin binding in all of my life. This thing just saggs…(it’s truly the “thug” of the bible world. Cuz it be saggin’ like nobodies bizniss).
It has just enough yapp to produce that elegant “pucker effect” in the top and bottom left hand corners.
The quality of the paper is unbelievable and jaw dropping. Honestly, even for me, it was jarring to say the least. Do you know how good the paper on the 2016 Allan NCR’s were? This blows the NCR’s clean out of the water. Seriously. It’s like SILK.
And the red on the ribbons and binding? It’s SO red. Pictures do it no justice. The contrast between the black and red is alarming. Simply gorgeous!
If this Bible came out in June…it would’ve still won. I mean it.
I am writing in this Bible and addressing it to myself in the presentation section as soon as I can. Why? To ensure I don’t sell it if “that feeling” goes away and the allure of a sale/trade doesn’t bewitch me into a state of ludicrous-idiocrisy that I’ll soon regret.
Can I get a witness???? You know who you are (I’ve probably sold, bought or traded with you).
I’ve only written in 2 other bibles to serve as an insurance policy that I wouldn’t convince myself to trade or sell while in the pursuit of yet another bible (to produce “that feeling”. Those bibles are (1) the 2016 NCR and (2) Allan’s NASB Reader in blue.
I can now say that the Canterbury goatskin bible has officially become the third. Howbeit, I hardly think “that feeling” will go away. So perhaps it’s not necessary to write in it? Perhaps its beauty alone is enough to prevent me from being a total weeny? Honestly, I think it is. But, nevertheless, I don’t trust myself. Since my dopamine levels are severely low, I must obligate myself with a micron pen.
Do yourself a favor and pick up a Canterbury. If you’re a bible addict like me and you’re jonesing for “that feeling”, the Canterbury will most assuredly provide it. Not to mention, it’s a stunning tribute to the timeless splendor of God’s Holy Word.
Now, you must excuse me; I’m gonna go look at it and see if I can get a buzz.
May the Lord bless you all in the coming year.
Rated 5 out of 5
James –
I would recommend that this Holy Bible be used for home or study and not used for travel as at least one review above mentioned. The size is perfect for study, not regular travel. With that said, the cover is simply amazing because the goatskin leather is super soft. Granted, that probably makes it difficult or impossible to imprint, but I would never allow heat on such beautiful leather. Besides, it is hard to improve on the deeply embossed Jerusalem Cross on the front cover. It opens nicely the first time you open it; no break-in required. Presentation page is great, as I bought mine for a gift to my son. The font is nicely done, making this Holy Bible very readable. While I and my church don’t view it as canonical, I wish the Apocrypha, which was part of the original King James Version, was at least an option. With that said, this Holy Bible is a lifetime purchase, as it should last a lifetime with modest care. I would recommend it to anyone wanting a high quality Holy Bible.
Rated 5 out of 5
Eleazar –
Received my much awaited copy today. If there is such a thing as a “perfect Bible,” this has to be it. All that I’ve wished for in a Bible is in this package: the Schuyler KJV Canterbury. I’d give it full marks for print legibility, paper quality, and overall design and layout. The attention given to details has been incredible. Schuyler certainly deserves the accolades it is receiving for producing this outstanding Bible, and EvangelicalBible.com for the excellent customer service.
Rated 5 out of 5
Frank Parker –
Congratulations to Schuyler for overdelivering on a pretty big promise. I really don’t understand the doubters. Every succeeding Schuyler edition has been better than its predecessor. That’s a trend. The customer service has been extraordinary. What more could anyone want? Maybe the time to really enjoy the word. And “Do not worry…”
Steven A. Giordano –
Like so many of the reviews…I love my Goatskin Schuyler Bible! I know many comments say it is difficult to find anything negative to say, but in my case, it is not so difficult. When it it comes to the Bible itself and its craftsmanship, nothing short of excellent! However, the same care and attention to detail is not found in the ribbons. In fact, on many websites and Evangelical Bible, you can see the fraying of the ribbons in many different images. There is also no consistency if they are cut straight or angled. My ribbons starting fraying within weeks of using my Bible. In fact, they got so bad, I removed them all together. Put the same care of workmanship and attention to detail in the ribbons, and hands down…there is no other Bible in the market place that even comes close!
Pastor Steven A. Giordano
bethpalmdale –
What can I say that hasn’t already been said about this magnificent book? It is just beautiful, in every way possible, crafted with the finest materials and the look and feel is beyond what I had imagined. If you are looking for an heirloom that can be passed down, do not hesitate to buy this. It is worth every penny and more, and I am so glad I chose this one!
Ron Smith –
My wife ordered me this Bible and it is completely amazing. The black goat skin is awesome. The color shift from gold to red on the page edges is fantastic. This is my very first Bible and I couldn’t be happier. I’m almost afraid to touch it. It’s that nice. The leather is all stitched with a nice gold trim under the seem. This is going to be the perfect family Bible for us. I thank God and our Lord and savior Jesus Christ everyday for showing me the way to his word. Also I wasn’t supposed to get my Bible until Wednesday but the Lord shined his light on me and I got it 2 days earlier Amen. I would recommend this Bible to everyone. May God bless you all.
Randall Sortino –
This bible is a 10 out of 10! From the time you open the box it is a work of art. Flawless construction and wonderful feel. This is the best quality bible on the market. Easily the best purchase I have ever made.
nickbangels –
10/10. This bible, from both a material and a spiritual standpoint, is as close to perfect as you’re going to get in this present age- period. I say “almost” because I can only find one, maybe two, minor faults with this bible (that I will get to last). And if you’re wondering how it compares with other bibles in the world today, let alone in it’s class – it has no equal, and it’s nearest “rival” isn’t even close.
THE PROS
THE TRANSLATION:
The most important reason why this is the best bible on the market today, is because this bible actually contains THE English written Word of God: the Authorized Version, also known as, the King James Version in the pure Cambridge Edition. I know what you’re thinking – but don’t worry, I will not preach “KJVOnlyism” here. But I will have to point out that, since this is a review about the rating of a bible, the main quality of which I must evaluate any bible is the quality of translation, truthfulness and accuracy to the original Hebrew/Greek manuscripts. Now despite popular opinion and the general consensus is among these brilliant scholars we’ve had through the years, the Schuyler Canterbury achieves perfection in this category by publishing this bible via the Authorized Version (pure text of the Cambridge Edition). Bravo Schuyler.
*Just a quick word of advice for any believers reading this that may be in need of some guidance regarding translation matters: go to God and pray about this and try to discern what God thinks about the different bible translations before you go seeking your favorite pastor or favorite theologian’s opinion. Do this before delving into the internet research you will undoubtedly do. The arguments that will come your way will sound very intelligent and may seem overwhelmingly convincing, and the endorsements of one side over the other by popular religious leaders may seem overwhelming. Proof-test these arguments for the truth, using the Truth (1 Thessalonians 5:21), and search the scriptures daily to see if what you’re hearing checks out (Acts 17:11). You’ll need His guidance if you are to discern the truth about bible “translations” in this world of smooth talking scholars that may very well be smarter than you and I. But just because they are intelligent and educated doesn’t mean they are leading you to truth or know what they are talking about (1 Corinthians 1:27) – so stay in the Spirit on this issue and hold fast. And don’t worry either way, if you are truly one of His, you will eventually come out of this knowing the truth – though the sooner the better, for your sake.
2) THE HIGHEST QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP:
The next reason why this is the best bible on the market today, is because of the simply superior craftsmanship and material here. If we ignore the translation itself, one cannot deny that all three of the top premium bible publishers, Schuyler, Cambridge and Allan, produce some exquisitely crafted bibles. However, when it comes to material quality and premium details, Schuyler reigns supreme (taking the crown from Allan). The Canterbury is is their finest example of such. The Canterbury goatskin leather, is the 2nd highest quality goatskin you can possibly buy (with the famed highland goatskin from Allan barely edging out the Canterbury to remain in 1st place as far as goatskin leathers go). It is plush, soft, sturdy, grainy, unique, natural and beautiful. I would say it is an enlarged but exact replica of the goatskin featured on the Cambridge Clarion, but the Canterbury leather beats the Clarion leather by featuring a fully leather interior liner, no polyurethane, and a striking gold trim around the entire edge of the inner cover, while featuring the same superb outside stitching and feel. The art gilding is top of the line, as it is on thick, boldly, neat and tasteful. On par with Allan, albeit with a slightly different color and slightly better than Cambridge’s art gilding which is just perhaps a bit too light. The bible opens up flat in Genesis and in Revelations – it better for this price. I’ve never concerned myself with seeking high-quality bible ribbons, I really don’t care too much about ribbon quality as long as they work. But I have to admit, out of all the bible ribbons I’ve ever seen, the three that come with the Canterbury are noticeably better than anything else I’ve seen or own. Almost looks custom made. They are weighty, thick and scream quality. The paper is nice and thick too, 36 GSM and creamy yet opaque. The font is one of its strongest features as it sports an 11 point font and is extremely readable. The size of the bible is large – this is not a hand-sized bible but it is not unmanageably large because of the remarkably thin profile of the bible (relative to the length and width). I was expecting a behemoth of a bible but was surprised by how portable it could be if I wanted to travel with it. Now while you could take it with you everywhere you pleased, the size demands that it be perhaps your main stay-at-home bible, but this will depend on your own special needs and preferences. If you want a more balanced blend of the Canterbury features with a portable size/weight then you might consider the Schuyler Classic (Westminster) KJV Bible or the Cambridge Concord KJV – These are both noticeably smaller and more portable bibles that have many top quality characteristics as well.
3) THE BEST POSSIBLE TEXT & FONT LAYOUT/FORMAT
Now I know this may appear to be subjective, and one could argue such, but the two column verse-by-verse format featured here is the best service you can do yourself in terms of choosing the format of your bible. While the world races to embrace the single column, paragraph-styled formats, the Canterbury defiantly remains verse-by-verse and double column (Song books are single column but still verse-by-verse). However, it does so in such a way as to virtually eliminate distractions from the text. Cross references are neatly bunched at the bottom, leaving a visually arresting and almost breathtaking expanse of scripture, nearly scripture alone, in your face – with only the occasional subject headings and soft-red verse number to further remind you that you are reading a bible. Besides making a couple argument points in defense of the verse-by-verse over the paragraph format, I won’t go into the pros & cons of verse-by-verse double column here, because I could take up a whole book arguing in defense of the old verse-by-verse. But I will say that if you have any inclination to think, that it might be plausible, that God Himself might actually have anointed the 1611 KJV bible to be THE version of the written Word for the English speaking people in 1611, and the English speaking people today, then do yourself a favor and Google images of the text format of the 1st editions of the 1611 KJV bible and behold the format that God was pleased to use in order to help His people study, meditate and memorize the scriptures for roughly 400 years. The format, style and even the stylistic drop-caps are breathtakingly similar to the 1st Authorized/King James Bibles ever made. Could there have been a reason for this that is spiritual and Godly, and that is not simply logical/scholarly/psychological/traditional, as to why these men used unapologetically, in-your-face, verse-by-verse formatting in 1611? Don’t get me wrong, I get it. I actually prefer the single-column paragraph-style format myself and it was very hard to give up my lovely Cambridge Clarion when I switched back to verse-by-verse. But I have since been convicted that the way God intends for me to study and meditate on His Word – is through verse-by-verse format just like He moved the thousands of Christians before me to do. I know I sound crazy. And I’m not going to try and defend this reasoning here today. But I will say that the easier ability to memorize His words and the ability to meditate on scripture via bite-sized-chunks (verse-by-verse), is not something to dismiss but something to appreciate. Countless times I’ll see people in the elevator with their phones to their face, scrolling speedily through their Instagram feeds and Facebook feeds, flying past post after post, liking pictures and liking comments on the way, so very quickly, barely digesting anything they see for longer than a second. I can’t help but think, there are those that would like the bible experience to be just the same ya’know? While we may prefer to speed-read through the bible with, an allegedly, more accessible paragraph-format bible and “get lost” in the scriptures, as some have argued, to retain better context they say, it would be best to recognize that perhaps our own pride is leading us to believe that we are smarter than we think we are. Or that we don’t need the helps that verse-by-verse format provides our minds subconsciously. Or that we don’t need the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth – incorrectly thinking that perhaps we can decipher with clever theology the things of God or perhaps we could employ fresh, new, hip reading formats in order to know God better. Look, I don’t know why they chose to use verse-by-verse formatting when they published the 1st editions of the Authorized King James Bible (scholars would argue that it was simply tradition and the KJV borrowed from earlier folks – I doubt that is the primary reason, but if that’s true, then fine: give me the same tradition that was good enough for Martin Luther and Charles Spurgeon and Martyn Lloyd-Jones and the other thousands of men and women who were after God’s heart). Nor do I know why God continued to choose to use verse-by-verse format bibles to reveal Himself to the masses and to uphold roughly 400 years of faithful Christians. But maybe, just maybe, could it be that by breaking down scripture into verse-by-verse formats, our puny brains that could never even begin to comprehend the bible, the scriptures and the things of God without the Holy Spirit there to guide us – just maybe this verse-by-verse format could serve to benefit our limited abilities to comprehend such weighty thruths that are not of this world? Maybe to actually encourage us to slow down, to wonder about the Word we’ve just been given, and to give us a greater opportunity to meditate on each and every word? Verse-by-verse helps us do just that… Time for Him to speak to us in between the lines? To perhaps take time to reflect? To repent? But I digress.
– – – – – – – – – – – – –
THE CONS
(these are minor, rather, nit-picky complaints)
1) THE JERUSALEM CROSS/STAMP BRANDING ON THE FRONT
I absolutely adore the very handsome and aesthetically pleasing blind stamped Jerusalem cross on the front of Schuyler’s bibles. It’s very cool, I must admit. Yet, I have to at least disagree with it being featured so prominently on the front cover of the bible, and at most: contest it’s selection as the symbol/brand for Schuyler. This symbol has a rich history, it is true, but that rich history at least causes one to ponder whether we want to embrace a symbol that, some would say, represent war, violence and destruction. Now I don’t necessarily agree with this negative point of view, because I see no reason to doubt the motive behind the claim of the symbols’ creators: that this symbol represents Christ. However, I do see how other people could attribute the symbol to something else – an unnecessary battle to fight, so to speak. How about embrace no symbol at all and leave the cover either blank (my preference) or simply say Holy Bible? That’s it. But hey, after much research, study and prayer, I eventually decided that nothing has moved me to take any strong objection or position on the history of this symbol. It could be that I simply don’t know enough about it yet, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be comfortable with seeing this logo on a daily basis and could live with it being stamped right there on my bible. But hey if I could change any little thing about this magnificent bible – it would probably be this.
2) LACK OF TRANSLATOR FOOTNOTES:
Now in the spirit of keeping with the same train of thought, I expressed reasons for seeking to imitate some of the text format of the 1st printed edition of the KJV and I commended the Canterbury for doing just that. Which is why I am almost equally as puzzled as to why the designers chose to omit the translator footnoes. The translator footnotes are not some modern invention or trend to shy away from, but instead, an inherently basic component of the 1st editions of the KJV bible – not to mention a basic component of almost every produced bible in the world today… While I suppose omitting the footnotes do help increase the Canterbury’s already impressive ability to provide us with a format that proudly displays the Word of God front and center with minimal distractions, I can’t help but think that leaving them out of the bible was an unnecessary sacrifice and weird departure from the 1611 KJV Format they seem to have followed up until this point. Is it a big deal to me? No. But it was at first, and almost prevented me from buying this bible. But then I was reminded to weigh more heavily the objective and purpose of even buying this particular bible in the first place – and it was not to have another study bible, reference bible or commentary, so as to do more research – I have other bibles, books and tools for that. But it was instead to finally own a highly-readable, highly-durable, stunningly beautiful, perfectly accurate and faithfully true: bible. A bible that featured an exterior that evoked enough seriousness to render one curious about the seriousness of the interior. A bible with uncluttered text, whereas I could simply read, study and meditate on the written Word of God with minimal distractions. Lord knows I sometimes have had a tendency to want to pause studying my bible so that I could rush over to my computer and perform a “quick” exegetical word-study on every unfamiliar word I’d come across – perhaps doing without translator footnotes, at least sometimes, would do me some good. Quit relying on men and translators to teach me the bible and instead rely on the Holy Spirit to show me everything I’d ever need to know. (1 Corinthians 2:10-16).
____________________
So that’s it. This bible is no doubt my favorite. It will no doubt be my main “daily-reader”. And it is one that I am very thankful for having found. 10/10, and nothing really comes close. The Schuyler Canterbury is 1st place: In the medium-large bible category, I’d say the Schuyler Classic (Westminster) Reference Bible is the 2nd best and the Cambridge Concord Bible is the 3rd best. In the small/hand-size category of bibles, I’d recommend the Cambridge Cameo being the 1st best, the Cambridge Pit Minion being the 2nd best and the Cambridge Clarion being the 3rd best (Clarion is 3rd instead of 1st only because I think it’s best to study scripture verse-by-verse. If not for that, then the Clarion is the best KJV on the market, bar none – it is superb.) And yes, I did not include Allan KJV bibles in my rankings even though I think they are a very close 2nd to Schuyler in overall bible craftsmanship – I just cannot in good faith recommend the Oxford Edition of the KJV they have been binding, when Schuyler and Cambridge are still producing tried and tested, error-free Cambridge Editions of the KJV. Hope this has helped somebody out there. Peace and Love be with you always.
Ken Schlichenmeyer –
I would like to update my review if the Canterbury KJV from Schuyler. I have been reading the black goatskin since September. Recently I broke down and purchased the Dark Forest Green Calfskin Canterbury KJV edition, just two weeks ago. Both are lovely. Goatskin is so very supple. The Calfskin is soft but not as suplple. I am a minister. Both covers would be excellent for preaching, same block. It’s just a matter of personal preference. You cannot go wrong with either choice. If you are a fan of the KJV the Canterbury is the best reading version that I have found. I also, would like KJV fans to give consideration to the Schuyler Classic KJV. It is a wonderful alternative. It is based upon the Trinitarian Bible Society Westminster edition. The same excellent qualities that are in the Canterbury are present in the Classic but in a different forum. Whereas the Canterbury has 11 pont font, the Classic has 9.6. I can read both with my presbyopia. The 11 pont font is a easier read. Yet the Classic is a great read as well. The Canterbury presents the Psalms as poetry in a single column, the Classic keeps to the more time honored tradition of keeping to the two columns. The Classic has some intriguing features, 200,000 cross references placed at the outside margins, not in a center column, I like that feature. Also, those troublesome words we struggle with are explained at the outside margins as well. The use of pronouns is given an explanation at the front of the Bible. This is very helpful. These are two different approaches to the KJV. I highly recommend both of them for your consideration.
Ken Schlichenmeyer –
I ordered my Schuyler Canterbury Black Goatskin Bible on September 13, 2017. It arrived at my home within three days (thank you evangelicalbible.com, especially Karen for your excellent service). I don’t want to bore you and re-hash all the points of the previous reviews. I would say: what they said! I do want to briefly comment on why this is a wonderful edition of the KJV for me. I want to start with the 11 point Milo font that the text is printed with. I need to use reading glasses, not by choice, but by necessity. All of my other Bibles had much smaller fonts. However, even with reading glasses, I struggled to read the text. I have no difficulties with the 11 point font. Also, the color of the paper, a light cream color was a pleasant surprise. I had hoped it was going to be a bright white paper. Now I am glad that it was not. It is so easy on the eyes when you read a number of chapters at a sitting. I can’t say enough about the Goatskin, it is very soft, subtle and luxurious to the touch. If you love the KJV of the Bible please give the Canterbury from Schulyer a try. I selected the Goatskin. But I am sure that if you select the Calfskin you will be just as pleased as I am!
Neal –
I just received my Canterbury KJV Bible today. I had a few concerns upon ordering this Bible, such as the flexibility of goatskin versus stiffness of calfskin, and the color black versus some other choice. As it turns out I am well pleased with the goatskin and don’t find it too flexible and the black color looks better in real life than in the pictures. I am extremely pleased with the references located at the bottom of the page allowing for a much larger font in the actual scripture’s text. Being older and having poor eyesight the larger font is great. Overall it is a beautiful Bible with the Jerusalem Cross embossed on the front cover and the gold lettering on the spine with gold over red on the edges. The artistic red capitals for each chapter give this Bible a nice old world charm and I feel the descriptive headings throughout the text are helpful and not obtrusive. The Bible helps in the back of the Bible, including maps, were all tastefully done. Though I have read the King James Version for most of my life I still feel the King’s English section will be helpful. Regarding delivery, I currently live in Asia and received this Bible, as well as two other Bibles I ordered from Evangelicalbible.com, within a week. I have given this Bible a five star rating. An impressive Bible and with Evangelicalbible.com’s service I would heartily recommend this Bible to anyone.
Manny –
I absolutely love this Bible. It has the best text block I’ve ever seen and I have many premium Bibles. Everything about the KJV Canterbury black goatskin is pure quality. It is also the ONLY 1904 pure Cambridge text Bible on the market in many years. If you are a King James Bible believer this is the Bible you will pass on to your children. Thank you Schuyler and evangelicalbible.com
Clinton De Abreu –
Schuyler took a 400 year old piece of literary art & made it an phenomenal heirloom to be past on someday.
All the exceptional Schuyler qualities with an excellent book block, beautifully appointed, with the most wonderful font & all brought together to bring focus to that wonderful drop cap letters.
Timothy Dodenhoff –
I already added a review, but would just like to add that this Bible is a perfect size, smaller than the NKJV, NASB and ESV put put by Schuyler and hope all the reg size Bibles they make from here on out are the same size, its really a perfect size, not too big and not too small. Thanks Evangelical.com and Schuyler.
Kyle McGraw –
I just received my Schuyler Canterbury Bible. AMAZING, the quality of this Bible is absolutely outstanding. I had high, high expectations the whole time I was waiting on the shipment and when I opened the box and removed the Bible all my expectations were met. The Goatskin is super soft and beautiful and the page quality is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I am beyond pleased and I have nothing negative to say. I presume this Bible will last this preacher a long time!
Thank you,
God Bless.
Daniel Hill –
My Schuyler Canterbury edition arrived December 22nd just in time to preach the Christmas Day message! I purchased the black goatskin edition. The craftsmanship is absolutely beautiful. The page layout is tasteful and honors the heritage of this translation. It is well deserved like the honor and respect due to a faithful elder. The font size perfect for preaching (and Lord willing) will allow for us to grow old together. Without a doubt this will last a lifetime. I love the section headings as they are helpful. This is the chancellor of my collection and was granted pulpit tenure twice a week. I highly recommend this edition to anyone who reveres the King James Version of God’s word. This is the first Schuyler Bible I have ever purchased and all of you have done a fabulous job. You should be proud of yourselves.
Brian –
As an owner of many quality bibles, from Cambridge, Allan, and Schuyler, this is the best KJV I have ever owned. The quality is superb. Feels great in your hands. Font size is great. If you had to pick one KJV, pick this one.
It would be great if they made this in wide-margin. Also, would willingly give up concordance for a smaller size Bible.
Great work!
Shelli –
This is an update to my previous 3 star review. Thankfully, I am happy to be able to give five stars and report to you all that this company does care about their customers and will make things right if you have a legitimate complaint. The customer service handling this return was outstanding and they sent a replacement that was in perfect condition and carefully packaged in surprisingly fast turn around time. We are very happy now and will buy from this company again.
Terry Thomas –
I honestly don’t think I can add anything to the wonderful things that have been said in the previous reviews! Overall it is probably the best KJV Bible on the market!
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a wide margin Canterbury (with maybe a 9.5 – 10 pt bold font)? Hint, hint, hint!
Stephen –
Let me preface this review by saying…out of all the high end bibles I’ve ever purchased…this is the ONLY one I’ve EVER written a review for. From my perspective; that says A LOT.
My Canterbury just arrived. Here are my thoughts: but first, a bit of background:
This is only my third Schuyler bible. I’ve owned over 30 Allan’s over the years. When they first came out a few years back, I bought a first edition Quentel NASB in imperial blue. Honestly, I wasn’t impressed. If you were…great. But I wasn’t. I ended up flipping it on eBay for a fraction of the price. It wasn’t a bad bible per se…it just so happened that what it did well and excelled at, wasn’t something that was of immense importance to me when doling out over 200.00 for a bible. Like most things in life; food, music, entertainment, etc…the esthetics of high end bibles are very subjective and varies from person to person. One man’s dream is another man’s eye roll (and vise versa).
After my experience with the Quentel, I’ll be honest: I have somewhat ignored Schuyler. I’ve mostly been focussed on Allan’s, rebinds and Crossway’s. But since taking a liking to the NLT I decided to get a Caxton in green goatskin. I was quite impressed. It is BY FAR the best binding and paper you will find for an NLT. In my opinion, it’s far superior to the Quentel.
With the above history set in place, let me just say…it takes A LOT to impress me when it comes to high end bibles. After having owned over 40-50 the last 4 years or so, I think I’ve blown out my dopamine levels. You know “that feeling” you get when you first open the box and you see those puckered corners bulging from the paper wrapping? Yeah, THAT feeling. To see it there bidding you to unwrap it and at long last smell of its leathery perfection as the watery binding droops in your hand. There’s just nothing like it. (Hello, my name is Steve and I’m a high end bible-aholic). Whether we realize it or not, I think some of us get addicted to high end bibles because of “that feeling”.
Yes, I know; we also like to see the Word of the Living God commemorated and bound in a most fitting, elegant and vibrant way. I agree with that and share those feelings as well. Believe me, the thought of a paperback bible causes me to have to repent of Pharisitical thoughts. But if we’re honest with ourselves, once “that feeling” goes away…so often we end up selling a bible that at one time felt as if the tangible presence of God came wrapped within a yapp. (You know who you are). Or perhaps it’s just me…but I doubt it.
Anyhow, I got off track. Back to “it takes a lot to impress me”. Having just unwrapped the Canterbury in black red lined goatskin…let me say…I’m beyond impressed. Honestly, it felt as if I had just opened my first Allan. I kid you not. When the Canterbury won the bible of the year in the poll that Luis started, I thought: “Yeah, the only reason it “won” was because it JUST came out and people still haven’t come down from the dopamine overload of “that feeling”. But, nevertheless, I quietly placed an order for one and thought “lets see for myself”.
In regard to my head wagging theory of “it won because it JUST came out”…yeah, I was wrong.
Not that it didn’t produce “that feeling” because it most assuredly did. But Schuyler hit the nail on the head in EVERY aspect. The binding, paper, art headers, raised hubs and just the overall majestic beauty that the Word of God truly deserves. Pictures truly do this bible NO justice. I know you’ve heard that before…but I REALLY mean it. It must be held and seen with your very own eyes to truly experience the work of art that it is. I have never, and I mean NEVER felt such a buttery goatskin binding in all of my life. This thing just saggs…(it’s truly the “thug” of the bible world. Cuz it be saggin’ like nobodies bizniss).
It has just enough yapp to produce that elegant “pucker effect” in the top and bottom left hand corners.
The quality of the paper is unbelievable and jaw dropping. Honestly, even for me, it was jarring to say the least. Do you know how good the paper on the 2016 Allan NCR’s were? This blows the NCR’s clean out of the water. Seriously. It’s like SILK.
And the red on the ribbons and binding? It’s SO red. Pictures do it no justice. The contrast between the black and red is alarming. Simply gorgeous!
If this Bible came out in June…it would’ve still won. I mean it.
I am writing in this Bible and addressing it to myself in the presentation section as soon as I can. Why? To ensure I don’t sell it if “that feeling” goes away and the allure of a sale/trade doesn’t bewitch me into a state of ludicrous-idiocrisy that I’ll soon regret.
Can I get a witness???? You know who you are (I’ve probably sold, bought or traded with you).
I’ve only written in 2 other bibles to serve as an insurance policy that I wouldn’t convince myself to trade or sell while in the pursuit of yet another bible (to produce “that feeling”. Those bibles are (1) the 2016 NCR and (2) Allan’s NASB Reader in blue.
I can now say that the Canterbury goatskin bible has officially become the third. Howbeit, I hardly think “that feeling” will go away. So perhaps it’s not necessary to write in it? Perhaps its beauty alone is enough to prevent me from being a total weeny? Honestly, I think it is. But, nevertheless, I don’t trust myself. Since my dopamine levels are severely low, I must obligate myself with a micron pen.
Do yourself a favor and pick up a Canterbury. If you’re a bible addict like me and you’re jonesing for “that feeling”, the Canterbury will most assuredly provide it. Not to mention, it’s a stunning tribute to the timeless splendor of God’s Holy Word.
Now, you must excuse me; I’m gonna go look at it and see if I can get a buzz.
May the Lord bless you all in the coming year.
James –
I would recommend that this Holy Bible be used for home or study and not used for travel as at least one review above mentioned. The size is perfect for study, not regular travel. With that said, the cover is simply amazing because the goatskin leather is super soft. Granted, that probably makes it difficult or impossible to imprint, but I would never allow heat on such beautiful leather. Besides, it is hard to improve on the deeply embossed Jerusalem Cross on the front cover. It opens nicely the first time you open it; no break-in required. Presentation page is great, as I bought mine for a gift to my son. The font is nicely done, making this Holy Bible very readable. While I and my church don’t view it as canonical, I wish the Apocrypha, which was part of the original King James Version, was at least an option. With that said, this Holy Bible is a lifetime purchase, as it should last a lifetime with modest care. I would recommend it to anyone wanting a high quality Holy Bible.
Eleazar –
Received my much awaited copy today. If there is such a thing as a “perfect Bible,” this has to be it. All that I’ve wished for in a Bible is in this package: the Schuyler KJV Canterbury. I’d give it full marks for print legibility, paper quality, and overall design and layout. The attention given to details has been incredible. Schuyler certainly deserves the accolades it is receiving for producing this outstanding Bible, and EvangelicalBible.com for the excellent customer service.
Frank Parker –
Congratulations to Schuyler for overdelivering on a pretty big promise. I really don’t understand the doubters. Every succeeding Schuyler edition has been better than its predecessor. That’s a trend. The customer service has been extraordinary. What more could anyone want? Maybe the time to really enjoy the word. And “Do not worry…”