Schuyler Wide Margin Quentel ESV, Desert Camel Calfskin

6 reviews for Schuyler Wide Margin Quentel ESV, Desert Camel Calfskin

1. Rated 5 out of 5

   Tom Dallis (verified owner) – March 11, 2026

   I own a number of premium Bibles, but this is by far my favorite cover. I actually have the same Desert Camel calfskin on my regular “take-to-church” ESV, and I have loved it from the first day I opened it. When I saw the wide margin version available in this same cover, I knew I had to have it.

   For years I have wanted a wide margin Bible, but I have often been disappointed with what I’ve seen. In many cases the paper is simply too thin to write on without noticeable bleed-through. Other editions solve that problem by using heavier paper, but then the binding becomes stiff and difficult to work with, especially in the first books of the Bible. For someone like me who studies Scripture extensively, that becomes frustrating very quickly.

   I do a great deal of teaching, apologetics, and textual work, so it is essential that my Bible lays flat from Genesis to Revelation. To my delight, this wide margin Quentel does exactly that. It is wonderfully floppy and opens beautifully no matter where you are in the text. Whether I’m teaching in a church, speaking on a college campus, or answering questions from skeptics, I can open the Bible instantly and have my notes right there beside the passage.

   The margins are generous and extremely useful for serious study. This edition is clearly designed for people who want to interact with the text, write observations, record cross references, and build a lifetime of study into their Bible.

   The Desert Camel calfskin is absolutely beautiful. The leather is soft, elegant, and comfortable in the hand. It feels like a Bible that was made to be used and enjoyed for decades.

   I’ve seen a few reviews mentioning the print size. Personally, I have had no trouble at all reading it. I am 69 years old and wear glasses, and I can comfortably read the text with or without them. That said, my 11-point font Quentel is certainly a little easier on the eyes, but this edition is still very readable.

   Yes, it is a thick Bible. It may not be the one you want to carry everywhere. But if you teach, preach, write, or do serious study, this is exactly the kind of Bible you want at your desk or lectern.

   Simply put, this is the finest wide margin Bible I have ever owned or seen. The craftsmanship is outstanding, the design is thoughtful, and the usability for teaching and study is exceptional.

   It was absolutely worth the wait, and I could not be more satisfied.

2. Rated 5 out of 5

   Blake McInnis (verified owner) – December 23, 2023

   I purchased this Bible in August. I wanted a bible that I could write in, and that would last me. I am very impressed with the leather it is amazing, and the more it gets use the more rugged look it gets. My only gripe about is that it is too big to be carry with you (which it is a wide margin) After owning the Bible 2 weeks I purchased a PSQ in fire brick red. I love it but not nearly as much as the desert camel. I am currently debating on buying another one just have on hand in case they discontinue the desert camel leather.

3. Rated 5 out of 5

   evangelicalbible-9816 (verified owner) – October 30, 2023

   This is a fantastic edition of the ESV bible. It is now my primary note taking bible. Even the inner margins, the gutter, are easy to write on and make notes. The quality if incredible, and the 40gsm paper is perfect, though it does make this bible a bit thicker than the normal Quentel, it is worth the extra heft for note taking. I use the 005 Pigma Micron pens, usually the brown color, and there is no issue with ghosting on the opposite page from where I’ve taken notes.

   Even though the concordance isn’t comprehensive, it is useful and has allowed me to quickly find passages I was looking for during bible studies where I don’t have access to my full volume concordances and word study dictionaries.

   The only change I would make is the page and chapter headings are aligned with the text, so you cannot flip through the edges of the pages to find the passage you are looking for. You have to flip the page back enough to see the headings inside the wide margins. It would be nice of those were on the outside and upper limits of the page. This, however, is a very very small quibble in another wise fantastic product.

   I plan to spend the next few years working through this bible until I’ve added my notes to each and every chapter in God’s word. And then I will buy another one! I’ve used several journaling/note taking bibles in the past and it isn’t even close. This one is far superior for me.

4. Rated 5 out of 5

   Dawn (verified owner) – September 18, 2023

   I’ve purchased quite a few Schuyler bibles over the years, in varying styles, and sizes and cover options. The Desert Camel is hands down my favorite cover option of all bibles I’ve ever purchased. As another reviewer stated, it comes out of the box with a pre loved, broken in feeling. Soft and pliable. It’s beautiful, has a marbled, crackly kind of look which gives it lots of character. It has a textured feel to it, also. It can appear darker or lighter, depending on the lighting you are in. It almost has a three dimensional kind of look to it. In my experience, it is the most unique leather I’ve ever had on a bible. I absolutely love it!

   (A lot of ppl seem to be curious if it is the same as the Tuscany leather since they are both Analine calfskin. In my opinion, they are not same at all – and in fact I’d almost say they are opposites. The Tuscany leather is thicker and smooth to the touch and scuffs etc easier. And has a stronger smell to it. Also it will patina. I don’t think the Desert Camel will patina because of the treatment they’ve put on it to give it that crackled effect. The DC feels thinner, softer and more pliable to me, with a textured feel and it’s scent is fainter than other leathers I’ve had. It would be a good choice for someone with a sensitive sense of smell)

   As for the inside, I love this paper. It’s whiter and thicker with a smaller font than the regular Q, but the font is nice and bold against the whiter paper and kind of makes up for it a little. There is tons of room to write as well as lined paper in the back. (The lined paper feels slightly thicker than the paper the text is on, imo).

   This bible can be appreciated even if you don’t intend to write in it, because it really centers the Word so it’s front and center, not in the gutter or margins. It has a clean, uncluttered feel.

   The concordance in the back is in a pretty small, light font, and harder for me to read, but I just use my glasses. I’m sure with a bible that’s already pretty large, they had to make adjustments in places so that it’s not too unwieldy. It’s not a problem for me, but thought I’d mention it for those who this might matter.

   The only “complaint” I have, if I was forced to find one is that it’s not available in a no yapp option. Yes I am one of those weirdos who don’t love the yapp, lol.

5. Rated 5 out of 5

   Brandon Vaara (verified owner) – September 15, 2023

   I always wanted a wide margin Bible but struggle with writing and marking in books. After a few years of adding and removing them from the cart finally broke down and ordered one. The desert camel calfskin was too tough to resist. It is such a nice leather. Thick aniline calfskin that appears to be treated with a dye to create the look of a book that has some age and use to it. It reminds me of high quality leather bag that had been broken in from years of traveling throughout the world. But you get it right out of the box. The cover matches well with the burgundy ribbons and liner. What’s best about this book is the paper and margins. The paper Is excellent with next to no show through. I bit the bullet and wrote a note with a pigma micron pen. Haven’t stopped marking up the book since. It truly is an experience making some markings after spending time reflecting on the text. Recommend watching some videos on YouTube regarding systems for utilizing wide margins. I have been using brackets around verses as opposed to underlining and also use same color for bracket as notes for a passage. Also using the smaller micron pen and writing small to leave room for notes in future. The text itself appears between a 9 and 10 pt. This would make for a perfect medium size bible if Schuyler ever decided to make one, perhaps with dimensions similar to the Cambridge Diadem. If you’re like me and have a hard time writing in Bibles take the leap. It is an experience that is worth the time and buy in.

6. Rated 5 out of 5

   Dakota (verified owner) – August 16, 2023

   This Bible is AMAZING!!! The text and layout are awesome, the margins give plenty of space. There’s even tons of lined pages at the back of the Bible for notes! The cover quality is superb. The desert camel cover is my favorite so far!

   I’ll definitely be sticking with Schuyler!