TBS KJV Westminster Reference Bible, Black Calfskin

47 reviews for TBS KJV Westminster Reference Bible, Black Calfskin

1. Rated 5 out of 5

   Thomas Baldino (verified owner) – March 22, 2014

   This Bible is beautiful! Calfskin leather, smyth sewn, excellent paper and clear crisp print. Printed and bound in the Netherlands by Jongbloed. I went over the entire Bible with fine tooth comb and couldn’t find one thing wrong wit it. Of course, with its paperboard type liner, the cover won’t be limp like an Allan or other high end Bible, yet mine lays open perfectly flat from Genesis to Revelation. For $65.00, I don’t believe you can find a better deal for such a quality Bible.

2. Rated 4 out of 5

   Antonio Mansinho (verified owner) – March 16, 2014

   This is a very nice Bible. Beautifully designed.
   I did find the cover to be a little too stiff. And in a few places there is too much on one page…text, references, chapter intro. Not a bad thing. Just busy on the eyes. Also, it is a bit on the heavy side.
   That said, I would not hesitate to recommend this Bible. The price is a gift really.
   Again, thank you EB for providing an excellent product with excellent service.
   So…should you buy this Bible? YES!

3. Rated 5 out of 5

   Mark Tuso (verified owner) – December 31, 2013

   If you are looking for a high quality unique KJV this is the Bible for you. I own Allan Bibles, Cambridge Bibles, the finest Crossway Bibles. While this Bible does not have the floppy goatskin cover like the others, it has so much of what is truly important. It is extremely readable, and includes a very helpful aid to archaic words in the margin. Each chapter begins with a summary statement pointing to key verses. The cover is very high quality calfskin and the binding is first class. You CANNOT find a finer Bible at this price, and the truth is that it would be an outstanding choice even if it were priced over $100.

4. Rated 5 out of 5

   Andrew Westhead (verified owner) – October 28, 2013

   I dont think $65 could buy anything as beautiful as this TSB edition. Apart from its high quality binding, paper, wonderful look and feel, the text layout is awesome. The inclusion of many helps, hints, references archaic word explanation, and concordance,
   make this volume a wonder to behold. If you are an AV reader, and looking to purchase a new bible don’t hesitate, look no further. Buy it!

5. Rated 5 out of 5

   Cynthia Hahn (verified owner) – August 23, 2013

   Another outstanding offering by TBS and printed and bound in The Netherlands by Jongbloed. No negative attributions at this price level. The attachment of the cover to the text block is by the paste off method rather than the more premium edge lined construction. The paper, print quality and its uniformity is top rate. Minimal ghosting and line matching appears to have been utilized. No paper creases. Absolutely no trace of gutter cockling. While I have not seen the font type stated anywhere, it bears a near or exact resemblance to Linotype’s Minion font.

   The first one purchased did not have any pages stuck together by the gold gilding. The next two had perhaps 40 percent of the pages lightly stuck to each other with up to several inches in length. These were safely separated by inserting a thin strip of suitable material (card paper or other) between the pages and behind the offending area and sliding it carefully outboard. This way you will avoid the possibility of putting any wrinkles in the pages, i.e. will not buckle the pages. Probably spent at least a couple hours on each bible checking out each and every page. Not a deal breaker in any sense. Am in agreement with all the good things that previous reviewers have stated, except mine show no evidence of any sewn overcasting.

6. Rated 5 out of 5

   Frank Sanchez – February 23, 2013

   This bible is an excellent edition of the KJV. The calfskin is soft, but not really pliable like it’s Goatskin counterparts. It’s well bound and lays flat everywhere. A great part of the Bible is the Translators To The Reader preface, which provides a wonderful connection to the KJV tradition, an inspiration that while not needed, sure enhances the experience. The text is very clear given the boldness of the type and the paper’s almost cream color helps limit the ghosting. I love the blank bible paper pages in the back before the maps. At this price, I was glad to bring this into my collection and highly recommend it.

7. Rated 5 out of 5

   Stephanie Tate (verified owner) – January 22, 2013

   AWESOME KJV BIBLE!!
   I left so many comments about this Bible on Facebook that I did not realize I forgot to do a review here. I REALLY like this Bible!! Since I have been introduced to Cambridge and Allan over the last few years, I have developed a preference for black letter text and fine bindings. The Westminster Reference Bible does not disappoint in any way!! For the price, I really cannot nitpick on any particular area. The print is clear and modern. I have not seen a line of text jammed together, words indistinguishable because of old type-settings. There are alternate and Hebrew translations in the margins combined with a perfect physical book size making this Bible pleasant to read and study from…as well as take to church or meetings should you desire. I prefer this layout with the references on the outside of the text columns rather than center column references.

   Now that being said, Facebook has made me aware that Schuyler will debut a form of this Bible with luxury bindings. My only additional desires would be scripture references to accompany the proper names in the rear Appendix 2, use the same writable India paper used in the Allan Longrimer, secure the front presentation & rear maps a little better (it seems that the maps and presentation pages were sewn in only, rather than sewn and glued but I could be wrong), front and rear overcasting, make the print bolder (Cambridge Concord-ish) and make no yapp and full yapp available. Now everyone’s happy LOL! GREAT, GREAT Bible – WORTHY PURCHASE for those that prefer KJV. I’m SO Looking forward to the Schuyler version, however if I cannot afford it in a few months, I’m still happy with this TBS one!!

8. Rated 5 out of 5

   Randy Brown – January 19, 2013

   This is an amazing KJV reference Bible. I’ve written a detailed review with hi-res photos here: http://biblebuyingguide.com/tbs-westminster-reference-bible-review/
   I highly recommend buying it from EvangelicalBible.

9. Rated 5 out of 5

   Patrick Hickey (verified owner) – December 3, 2012

   I just happened across this bible in many many visits buying bibles @ Evangelicabible. I can’t believe I didn’t notice before, but always seemed to skip over TBS for the ” bigger” named bibles of Allan and Cambridge. I couldn’t believe the price as compared to the latter even though this bible has top quality calfskin binding. Plus it’s KJV, and in a very unique verse to verse with the references on the outside!
   Much better layout IMHO. Granted the new Schuyler will be really nice with its goatskin binding when it comes out 3 months down the line, but you will also be paying appx $180 for it. This is just almost as nice for way less than half the price. Very pleased.

10. Rated 5 out of 5

    Brandon Vaara (verified owner) – December 3, 2012

    I review this bible in detail here: http://brandonvaara.com/2012/12/01/photo-review-of-the-tbs-westminster-bible/

11. Rated 5 out of 5

    Joseph Albert Jr – November 27, 2012

    This is one of the best bible purchases I’ve made at this price-point, without question. The crisp, clean text is very refreshing to the eyes… and added to that the expanded references and word helps, this is an exceptional bible purchase. And the leather is very nice… better than anything I’ve seen at this price. But if it had the RL Allan highland goatskin with the full yapp treatment, I’d buy myself another one of these.

12. Rated 4 out of 5

    ann mcmahon (verified owner) – November 26, 2012

    This is a very good Bible for the price. The quality of the calfskin is excellent and very smooth. The only issue is the cardboard used in the covers is stiff and tends to curl making it a Bible I have to sandwich between 2 other books to flatten the cover out.
    Opens flat since it is sewn and a lot of resources for study

13. Rated 3 out of 5

    Norman Shepherd (verified owner) – November 24, 2012

    Overall, a very nice bible for the price, but the major drawback for me is the references are too small, other than that it would have made a great reference bible.

14. Rated 5 out of 5

    Judyth Hakala (verified owner) – November 19, 2012

    Wow! I am thrilled with this bible! I love the off-white page color – I think it will be very easy on the eye. The layout and font make for great readability and I like the more modern setting. Even the concordance is very readable. I use the built-in concordance in my bibles a lot and some of them are not that easy to read, even when the scripture text is. The ribbons are not Allan’s luxurious ones but they are adequate and I like that there are four of them in two different colors. As others have mentioned, the cover is not Allan goatskin floppy, but if you like a firmer cover or don’t care one way or the other, you’ll be happy. While the cover itself is not floppy, the binding is very flexible and lays flat. The calfskin is beautiful The bible is a nice size – hefty, but not too large (I have small hands). The 8 newly designed maps are attractive and very readable and nicely cover the minimum of what you’d expect. There are several pages of blank, unlined paper following the concordance. (It is the same paper as the bible text, not a heavier stock.) I was thinking about getting the Clarion KJV (I already have the ESV), but am very glad I opted for this instead. You can’t beat the price point. Now I’m thinking I may save up for the Schuyler binding of this when it comes out next year!

15. Rated 4 out of 5

    Terrence Gooden (verified owner) – November 10, 2012

    I love God’s Word! I would love it if it was bound in construction paper! There is nothing like holding those words which have been preserved and passed down through the ages,especially when they are covered with wonderful leather! This Bible snuck up on me. It wasn’t on my list. Somehow I had never heard of TBS. But when I saw this Bible online, I knew I had to check it out! It fits that size between compact and huge wide-margin very well. Though the layout is a little modern” it still has an old-world elegence. It reminds me of my Thompson’s Chain Reference but not as bulky. I LOVE the leather. It’s much softer than calfsplit but I doubt it is as soft as Highland Goatskin. I’m so pleased with this edition! I keep glancing at my new Westminster out of the corner of my eye and I really think this will be one of my favorites! It will be a great way to “”practice”” for the Schuyler KJV which will use this same great format! Evangelical Bible really has the best selection and the best prices as well as the best costumer service and delivery times. They prove that to me with each order. (I only have about 4 or 5…..or 8 more Bibles to get!)”””

16. Rated 5 out of 5

    Joshua Foote (verified owner) – November 5, 2012

    I am very impressed with this bible. The cover is a little stiff but I am sure will work out. The text is very easy to read and the paper color makes it great. I really do hope it holds up and will be my main reading/study bible for many many years to come.

17. Rated 5 out of 5

    John Sanford (verified owner) – November 5, 2012

    I bought this bible because I wanted John Brown of Haddington’s cross-references. I like the look of the double column with reference columns on each side. The references also include definitions of archaic words in the King James, which would be especially useful for those not familiar with the King James.

    I have purchased TBS bibles before, so I expected quality. This bible exceeded my expectations! The paper is very good with minimal ghosting. The print is excellent and legible. The bible opens flat cover to cover, even at the title page. The calfskin is very soft to the touch. The cover has some flex to it, but it is limited by the boards. If you are expecting edge-lined goatskin floppy, you may be disappointed.

    Amazing bible for a great price.

18. Rated 5 out of 5

    Wayne Dodd (verified owner) – November 3, 2012

    My favorite combination..affordable yet QUALITY! This bible is similar to a Thompson Chain without all the “stuff in the back.” Very portable addition slightly large than the Long primer. The font is a great size with good paper. If you are a Authorized Version preferred person, you can’t go wrong with this one. It’s a great price to value bible!

19. Rated 5 out of 5

    Paul Esposito (verified owner) – November 2, 2012

    Let me tell you how impressed I am with this Bible! This is now my new favorite format/layout of any Bible that I own (100 +). I love the new, modern font, the dictionary of archaic words imbedded into the margins, the 4 ribbon markers, the verse format, and the calfskin leather. Oh, it also opens up and will lay flat to whatever page you open to, thanks to the smythe sewn binding! This Bible is an A+ all the way!
    Paul E.

20. Rated 4 out of 5

    Michael MacCalla – October 30, 2012

    I ordered both this leather edition of this bible as well as one of the hardcover copies ofthe same from TBS when they were announced.

    I have had the calfskin edition for a couple weeks now.

    The binding is of very good quality, the covers while not as flexible as my Allans, are not unreasonably stiff either. They are calfskin over a light card which offers good support to the bookblock, and should protect the pages well. The calfskin is very buttery soft, quite nice to the touch.

    The paper used is fantastic. It is a little offwhite without much ghosting from the backside. This bible appears to have been printed using line matching so ghosting is even further reduced. The typeface used is very easy to read, and the line spacing reduces reading fatigue, even the cross references are easy to read.

    The cross references are the best I have seen to date in any bible, FAR more helpfull than those cambridge has been putting out in the last many years. 200,000 references and most of them helpful is a treat.

    The ribbons are just ok. While long enough they are unfortunately thin. This makes me worry about damaging the pages with them.

    The inclusion of the Translators to the Readers is great.

    Overall this is a great bible, especially at evangelical Bible’s price.