Are Premium Bibles Worth The Price? (ESV Heritage Comparison)

The new $35 edition of the ESV Heritage from Crossway has a lot of people wondering if expensive, premium Bibles are truly worth the jump in price... so in this video, I'm comparing all of the different editions of the Heritage in order to help you decide which one is right for you. ⬇️ Leave a comment below to let me know what you!

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[j.woodbury]

I like the $35 Tru-Tone Bible. I don't need all the "bells and whistles" in a Premium Bible, and I think any Bible will last a long time if you take care of it.

[sillyrabbi]

Here's what I'd like to see in this video...measure the text block with some calipers (i.e. compare the paper by thickness of the block), and underline some text with a Pigma Micron pen in each and then turn the page and see how much ghosting/bleed-through there is.

[SEL]

Thanks for focusing on the paper of the Trutone edition. That is THE factor in determining whether to use it for a rebind. Crossway definitely up' d their game here. Many of their non-premium editions have some of the poorest paper quality I've seen in Bibles. Like you, I have experienced rebinds using an inferior text block with cheap, see through paper. The rebind I have looks beautiful on the outside, but is mediocre inside.

[chrisj]

Adding to my earlier comment, I watched several of Tim’s Bible reviews and felt confident in my purchases - thank you for your time, effort, and clear enthusiasm Tim. I do care about place of printing, paper feel, and even the inky/leather smell of a quality Bible. I am also interested in the translation. As a former Divinity student with a Congregationalist affiliation, NRSV is my choice for its academic tradition. I also read the KJV for its poetic qualities. The Divinity school I attended was home to the RSV translation completed in the early 1950’s which is pretty cool. I had classes in the very room the Biblical “scholars” did their work - I did not fully appreciate this until later.

[blazers]

My black trutone heritage just arrived in the mail today, couldn’t be more happier. I do enjoy a premium Bible here and there though, I own a Cambridge Concord in black goatskin that is great as well among others.

[timothydietz]

Two additional things the premium brings: 1) higher quality ink/imprint, i find it to ever so darker than my crossway NT (which seems to be the same caliber printing). This may actually contribute to slightly more fhosting that you are seeing, yet the higher contrast on the page I find easier to read. 2) Gilding that is rolled on not sprayed, which keeps the pages flat and smooth and not sticking together or puffed at the edges. Thanks for making this video!

[Cv]

Love the video, particularly the discussion of feel and opaqueness of the paper. For me, paper really matters and is especially hard to judge these days when making mail-order purchases. Too many times I make a purchase and cross my fingers hoping for an acceptable result when I have it in my hands.

[ginamiller]

I love the rebind. Not just because it’s a rebind, but the leather is gorgeous!!

[charlesleibyjr]

TIM I LIKE THE $35 ESV Heritage Edition. I really don't have any Premium Bibles, some old leather ones like the KJV Thompson Chain reference.KJV and ESV are my two Bibles! Love the Video!

[godawgs]

This is a great video! You should make a video that compares the different variations of bibles (compact, reference, study, thinline, etc.). Can’t wait for your review of the CSB verse-by-verse handcrafted calfskin!!

[harrisonrobbins]

I bought the Heirloom Heritage in Black Goatskin about a month ago and I love it! It’s a really nice personal size Bible, easy to carry around my college campus and take to classes with me. I baby that thing so I try not to bring it everywhere because I don’t want to ruin it, but someday it will show wear and tear. I really want to look into the TruTone Heritage though because it may be something I take notes in or allow it to be beat up

[debbie]

Glad to hear of less expensive, nice Bibles. That is what I’ll buy.

But if I could, I’d get either the Prussian blue-I love the color (even like the green-shock) or, of course, the beautiful pricey cowhide.

Could only justify it because it would be a treasure that will stand the test of time to pass on my ‘life in the Word’ to future generations.

[philtheo]

1. I have the ESV Heirloom Heritage in Prussian blue. I love it. 😊

2. But I totally agree with Tim that the paper in the Heirloom Heritage actually looks (a) less opaque than the paper in the more affordable TruTone Heritage and (b) it also looks less sharp and white but more creamy than the TruTone Heritage paper. So whatever Crossway did with their more affordable TruTone Heritage, they did a great job, especially considering it's currently only about $35 (vs. $200+ for the Heirloom Heritage).

3. That said, I presume the paper in the Heirloom Heritage will last a lot longer than the paper in the TruTone Heritage, all things equal.

[clannard]

I'm not a single column gal, but the ESV heritage text block is starting to grow on me. I like the reddish chestnut colour of the trutone, and the slightly better paper opacity. I do wish Crossway would up their ribbon game though. A bible of this size and thickness could do with two thicker ribbons of a decent length, more akin to what Thomas Nelson would produce in bible of similar quality.

The premium ESV heritage editions are nice, though it irks me that the only option of a better quality bible in this textblock beyond trutone is a huge step into premium bible territory at US$200+ above the trutone price point. It would be nice to have a midway "genuine leather" option with better ribbons, slightly better construction, spine hubs and maybe slightly nicer paper with a price point halfway between trutone and premium.

[GregoryCarper]

Thanks, Tim! While I do love my premium Bibles, I was really impressed with the ESV Heritage TruTone. I may have to pick one up and look into a re-bind, which I've never done.

[MessengerOfSaintJacob]

Would love to see one in the $75 range with a buffalo cover and raised ribs.

[Rain-Dirt]

I have to agree, bookbinding can truly be a piece of art. My two favs of this video is the italian cowleather and the green one.

Regarding the "brightness" of the paper... I think ease on the eyes is a determining factor. To sharp of a contrast might not be appreciated by some people, whereas a slight see through and less bright white might be easier on the eyes for some..

[IsaacCantrell]

Since the Trutone version was so cheap I figured I’d buy it to look at and feel in person before I decided on a rebind and I came to the same conclusion as you, Tim. I really like the paper and everything about it. So I bought another one and sent it to a rebinder for a nicer cover. I’ll keep this first one and maybe give it to my son. Thanks for the video.

[chrisj]

My preference is to go with comparative mid-range pricing, in this case the NRSV Cambridge black French Morrocco leather (L.E.G.O.) – depending on vendor, these can range from about $115.00 to $140.00 (which is certainly not "cheap") but as beautiful as the super-premium Bibles are, $200.00+ feels excessive. I also have a Reformation Heritage KJV (Jongbloed) Bible, also in the less than $150.00 range. Bibles are a very personal choice, and I am happy with the ones I selected. They are both elegant and functional. I take care of them and plan to enjoy them for many years so worth the investment.

[prattle]

I have the Siena Heritage from EVB and it’s simply beautiful. The creamy and smooth paper really makes for an enjoyable reading experience.