The Cambridge Concord and Topaz; Comparisons and Contrasts

A viewer suggested I do this comparison, so today we’re going to look at two Cambridge heavyweights, the Topaz and the Concord. Obviously there are large translation differences here but the KJV Topaz is on the horizon so it is worth looking at these two together.
Find them both on the Burton Bibles website!

[@artistocracy]

It's Concord all the way, for me, Mark! I have the wide margin and love it more than any other I have (like CBP, and Schuyler) and my Concord Refernce bible is on its way to me as we speak...somewhere in transit across the world to Australia! I appreciate how much you love your Concord in all your videos!

[@BurtonBibles]

Thank you and God bless! Enjoy your new Bible!

[@christaylor6018]

Thanks Mark, that was a brilliant comparison. I think the topaz is definitely the option for someone who’s looking for an esv version of the Concord. I think the slightly larger size also compliments the easier to understand translation, making it even more easier to take in and digest overall . The quality looks exactly the same. That was a great comparison and a real help. Thanks very much. I also spotted the slightly lighter and darker text sometimes in my concord, but I like that because it adds to the old feel of it and reminds me of the old printing press. Thanks again mark, your a blessing.

[@BurtonBibles]

Thanks Chris, I appreciate the comments. I am looking forward to seeing the future versions of this edition. God bless

[@christophersmeltser6564]

I would love for you to do a comparison between the Cambridge Turquoise and the Allan NASB Readers. Thanks brother

[@gleasonparker1684]

I like BOTH.I had a CONCORD about 50 years ago. Got a new one about 2 weeks back. I got the TOPAZ in cherry red calfskin . ESV. I like calfskin or calfsplit. Not so floppy as goatskin and lays flat w/o the hump of goatskin .

[@BibleBelievingChristian]

That Topaz looks absolutely amazing! I also really like the concord, I had a goatskin one for about a day but a friend fell in love with it so off it went, but I was impressed with the features it had for such a portable Bible. Cambridge makes some excellent Bibles. Great comparison & it looks like you’re going to hit 1,000 subscribers very soon which is awesome, congratulations!

[@BurtonBibles]

Ah thanks sister! Yes I’ve only just noticed that, it will be nice to hit that landmark!

[@BibleBelievingChristian]

Burton Bibles your channel has done very well! I need to get caught up on your videos. I was away for a while in the hospital and was out of the loop and now have some catching up to do so you’ll be getting some more comments from me.

[@BurtonBibles]

Ah bless you, hope you are doing well now and sorry to hear that. God bless you

[@BibleBelievingChristian]

Burton Bibles have one more surgery to go but I’m doing well and am confident I’ll make a full recovery.

[@BurtonBibles]

🙏🏼

[@tingowealeans5712]

for info, pretty sure 'the Cambridge KJV crest on the bottom' isn't a 'Cambridge KJV crest' unique to this bible, rather its a signifier that the producer supplies the product to the royal family by Royal Warrant, which lends the product an air of prestige.

[@garythomas3150]

I only have one Cambridge- the Clarion. I love it! It seems to me that maybe the ultimate Bible would be the Concord, but with a modern typeface from 2K Denmark. Am I wrong? I’m sure I’m not the only one that thinks this. The Concord seems to be the perfect make and size, but why get that type face, when there are so many improved modern choices? Cambridge is “sitting on” the perfect Bible, but not releasing it. The Topaz seems to me like Cambridge’s answer to the Quentel. Make a Concord sized Topaz.... I love my two Schuyler’s, but there is something about the feel of a Bible from Cambridge University Press...plus that amazing history in your hands ever time you pick one up.

[@BurtonBibles]

Yes agreed. A modern chapter and verse style bible with the dimensions of the concord or possibly a touch smaller would be amazing. Somewhere in between the cameo and concord size. Wow!

[@RoastBeefSandwich]

A digital reproduction of the Concord would be fantastic. Super bonus points if they keep the same pagination. The Concord is fantastic but the inconsistent print is not compatible with the price in my opinion (and I say that as someone who owns a personal Concord in morocco, and a standard Concord and wide margin Concord both in goatskin, use them daily).

[@BurtonBibles]

Agreed. I have heard this before about the Concord, there is some print variation. The Cameo and Turquoise seem to be a lot more consistent and they’re older texts!

[@gleasonparker1684]

I agree.

[@guymontag349]

Another wonderful comparative Bible review, Mark. Thank you. Now, here is a sincere memo to Cambridge: Publish a Topaz in verse by verse format in the NKJV with red letter, and I'll board an airplane to England to be your first customer. Coronavirus or not!

[@BurtonBibles]

It’s coming 😀

[@CrimeDefender]

Hello Mark! Great video. I'm really looking forward to seeing the KJV Topaz. Any word on when it will be coming out? Will it be verse-by-verse? Hope you're surviving this pandemic. God bless your ministry.

[@BurtonBibles]

Hi David the Topaz advanced copies are in the Uk now, so preorders etc will start v shortly in Feb. I should have a couple of advanced copies to share on the channel shortly! Yes it will be verse by verse.

[@timcocis3072]

Topaz in a Concord size. Everyone’s been talking about it. Even Schuyler bibles. They’re too big for single hand use. There is a huge market for that mid size 5.5-8.5 inch bible.

[@BurtonBibles]

Agreed!

[@gleasonparker1684]

Yes crossway has put a 12 point FONT in 8.5 x 5.5. I have one.

[@AlvinRyder]

Thanks for the review. I have both of those bibles. The ESV Topaz I love, the KJV Concord I like, granted its 5.5 x 8.5" format is my favourite but that French paper in the Topaz keeps its weight down compared to other bibles of that 6x9" size. The font is modern, has red letter chapter and verse numbers ... the reference are very readable in the Topaz. I don't think there are any other verse-by-verse ESV's out there let alone anything that comes close to this one. I like the usual ESV paragraph format until you hit "a wall of words" in the epistles or longer passages, then it's not easy to read at all (for me at least). I think it's not possible to capture how beautify that Topaz paper is. I know in theory it's the same as that used in other premium bible's but I have my doubts about that. Maybe it's just the red chapter and verse numbers which bring it to life or the font to something ... The Topaz wasn't cheap but neither are Schuyler (both are said to use the same paper?). Maybe it comes down to verse-by-verse versus paragraph format?

[@BurtonBibles]

I couldn’t agree more!

[@higiniomorales459]

I'm one of those that's waiting on the Topaz KJB version, i really do like the modern digital font on the classic verse by verse layout. I hope that Cambridge decide to add modern equivalent words, for certain old archaic words in the reference section. Sortive like what Thomas Nelson did with their "Preaching bible", i bet a lot of the brethren that are new to the KJV would really appreciate and benefit from that nice touch. I think the brethren over at TBS did something similar with their Westminster reference bible.

[@joeymac6970]

Yes - a KJV topaz is what I’ve been waiting for. With regards to understanding some of the old wording, i find the Noah-Webester 1828 dictionary helpful. It has its own app.

[@BurtonBibles]

Yes good idea, let’s hope so! 👍

[@BurtonBibles]

I’ll definitely be getting one, it should be amazing!

[@Rszyman]

The Topaz has a better readability factor which with my age, works best for me.

[@davidbarrett8236]

Cambridge sure makes great bibles. I really like the topaz and the concord sure is really nice. I will definitely look for the KJV topaz. So the topaz KJV will be out this fall brother ?

[@BurtonBibles]

Hi David, I’m unsure of timescales or how they may have been affected by the Coronavirus. I know they announced both translations and I believe the NKJV will come out first, probably later this year but that’s just me postulating based on how they did the ESV. God bless

[@zcbates15]

What is your favorite translation of the bible? I love the KJV.

[@BurtonBibles]

Yes that would be my favourite. I was raised on it and I think it’s a great translation and one you can really dig into and memorise as well. I do use other translations occasionally tho 👍

[@joeymac6970]

My KJV Goatskin Concord is actually quite poor for print consistency. At some points its day and night! Not what you would expect for an expensive bible. If I knew then (I've had it a few years) what I know now I would have sent it back to be honest...

[@BurtonBibles]

Yes I mention this issue in the video, I’m not one who runs away from it. It is a shame but is virtue of the old plates the print is taken from. I just try to make people aware of it going in. 👍

[@joeymac6970]

Burton Bibles Indeed you did. Thanks for uploading !

[@gleasonparker1684]

Its not a good sign when everyone is talking about how to improve the failing TOPAZ.

[@gleasonparker1684]

I would choose CONCORD. I have had one since 1969 and just bought a new one. Only recently have I needed bigger print e.g. about TURQUOISE size. 11 POINT FONT. I do like 10 POINT FONT in LARGE PRINT version which in bold a n d dark PRINT is readable in KJV type. But NOT so TOPAZ. 10 point FONT/ PRINT. NOT dark or bold. CONCORD is a goldilocks bible. TOPAZ is just NOT in the CAMBRIDGE legacy.. and so a mistake.