Which Is Better? The Nelson Maclaren Series vs the Cambridge Topaz

[@joshuahoward7567]

Looking Frisch and clean in today’s video brother

[@b.rocket]

I have both and really wish the topaz came in black letter. Also I like the bold font and paper in the mclaren better. Good review Tim.

[@mlman7904]

Nice to see your comparison it gives which one to choose.

[@JonnyRaz234]

Although I have preached from both, my go-to preaching bible is actually a rebound Nelson. I am not usually needing the margin space while preaching, so I like the wider columns. The bottom references are more difficult to study with for me. The Topaz is probably a better combination study and preaching bible for that reason-at least for many people. The classic verse by verse or large print wide margin by Nelson also offer a good quality to price option-with more space for writing while having large print. These two are a lot bigger than the Topaz though. Great comparison, Tim!

[@nathankeel4308]

Wow , awesome reviews Tim! Keep these videos coming please! We need people like you sharing God's words. Many others and I learn so much from your invaluable work (:

[@anickelsworthbiblereviews]

Excellent video!

[@AFrischPerspective]

Thank you!

[@sdhute]

I ordered a maclaren and sent it straight to a rebinder. Now I have to work on it laying flat. I like the maclaren book block and typsetting

[@jayman1338]

I bought my NKJV Topaz for $165.00 I found that what makes the Topaz so wonderful is not the cover but what’s inside. That French milled paper is very unique, the type setting, and the type of font they used makes it such a nice Bible... Also the paste down Topaz is done premium style so it’s not like buying a $40 paste down. It’s very nice! $165.00 for the NKJV but for the ESV $200.00 Idk why different versions are marked at different prices but for just a few dollars more on the ESV I’d buy the goatskin.

[@Tucauppercut]

I have that exact same Cambridge bible and it is one of the best bibles I own. I own several premium bibles and the Cambridge Topaz Calf split is probably in my top 3 even though it is not goatskin.

[@ShoelessPoimen]

I have not used a Maclaren Series but I did have the NKJV Preaching Bible which has the same text block...I loved the text block of the Nelson, but ultimately gave it away to a friend in favor of the Topaz. I like the overall size and quality of the Topaz over the Nelson, although I often miss the text block from the pulpit. I miss the poetic setting, (which certainly makes more sense of the capitalized words in Psalms) the slightly larger print, and that cool blue color accents! I will admit that part of my appreciation for the Topaz is the great care that was taken in producing it and that fact that it not only has the best materials available but is also printed and bound by Royal Jongbloed as opposed to a Chinese made Bible. My critique of Chinese made Bibles is that I always notice shortcomings in craftsmanship that should have been addressed before being boxed and shipped. Not to mention the question of whether or not the workers are being paid or treated fairly as they make a Bible that they themselves are not allowed to posses. If Nelson upped their quality a bit and maybe switched to a different place for their printing and binding I would be happy to purchase one. Until then, I will impatiently wait for a Schuyler Striden NKJV....

[@TheBigtonelew]

Your dream is my dream

[@Mark-b8b9s]

I’d love to see a Schuyler NKJV wide margin too

[@daniellawrence4884]

I used my Maclaren KJV for the first time Sunday to preach out of and I don’t think I’ll ever go back to anything else. It’s hard to beat.

[@justfollowjesus7216]

While on the surface, the NKJV Topaz looks and appears amazing, they failed to deliver in three major ways for those who are used to the benefits of the NKJV layout: 1. Old Testament references in the New are only placed in Oblique type in Mark. 2. I noticed quite a few places where the supplied translator words were not italicized. See John 18:5 for example, where the supplied word “he” as in “I am he” is not italicized. 3. They don’t used poetic setting, and yet they kept the words at the beginning of each stanza capitalized, even if it’s in the middle of the sentence, which is confusing. Maybe this won’t bother others, but it was a deal breaker for me. I returned the Bible. If they were to fix these errors, I would definitely reconsider the Topaz (a handsize Topaz would rival the PSQ!) This really could be the best verse by verse layout in the NKJV, but it just feels like they were too hasty. I hope they plan to fix these mistakes for the NKJV edition.

[@ClaimingChristianity]

Oh man. This is a tuff one. I don’t have the premium Maclaren but even the Leathersoft NKJV is awesome and in my opinion…The NKJV Comfort Print is 😍😍 I’m curious to hear what preachers say! Nice video.

[@reformeddaddy]

I wish the Maclaren had a red letter option, I'd be all over it. Comfort print is my favorite typesetting out of all my bibles.

[@awi77]

The Comfort Print is not comfortable to read for a long time.

[@adrianalonzo7973]

Both of these Bibles have there independent pros and cons. At the end of day, the Nelson is affordable, and the quality is very good. Praise the Lord we have a choice, this is a great problem to have.

[@gleasonparker1684]

On Amazon you can get calf skin for half price about of goatskin.

[@artemusbowdler7508]

I bought a new CSB goatskin Pastor's Bible for $30; the goatskin is not premium quality. However, it is really nice Bible. I want a really nice vbv ESV Bible premium leather: any recommendations?

[@joest.eggbenedictus1896]

I'm a preacher so I can't afford any of those Bibles. That's why most of my Bibles cost a buck or less. Except for my Cambridge. Santa Clause had an elf bind that for me. And that's what I use for preaching.

[@fnjesusfreak]

With Nelson publishing a NKJV in Jongbloed's "Dwarsligger" format via Jongbloed, I wonder if it means they'll involve Jongbloed in any future editions.

[@davehoskins2393]

Here is a sort of off-topic question for you. Which is the better study Bible, the Thompson chain reference or the Ryrie study Bible? I also would like to ask you which is the very best study Bible? Which one do you recommend?

[@daniellawrence4884]

Get a TBS Westminster KJV and use it together with a Thompson Chain. There is no other study Bibles that come close to those two in tandem.

[@cartesian_doubt6230]

The paper in the McLaren is far superior. Thicker and doesn't feel like it could tear or crease at any moment.

[@LarryStallings-dk4rr]

I CANT EVEN FIND THE NELSON PREACHING BIBLE ANY WHERE

[@tjmaverick1765]

I actually prefer the formatting on the Maclaren.

[@BMB125]

Is there a KJV version to the Topaz? If not, which of Cambridge’s KJV Bibles is most like it?

[@SD-fp8ei]

The KJV Topaz will be available from January 27, 2022. The KJV Turquoise is also a great alternative.

[@gleasonparker1684]

I like TOPAZ. But have both.

[@Hospody-Pomylui]

No poetic settings is a deal breaker for me. If the Topaz had poetic settings it would be a clear unbeatable winner 🏆

[@Tax_Buster]

As to the format, I prefer the Maclaren. I don’t like what Cambridge did in that the Topaz has capitalized words in the Psalms that are not the beginning of the sentence or line unlike the Maclaren that hsbpoetic setting. Moreover, I don’t care for wide margins because I don’t write on my Bibles. I dislike Bibles with writing because it looks messy to me.

[@garythomas3150]

Topaz

[@joshuahoward7567]

I was in the market for a NKJV and went with the wide margin in calf split. I wanted a paste down and not because they were cheaper. I think based of my experience a high quality paste down bible holds up just as long or longer than an edge lined bible especially one that is not done perfectly. Cambridge paste downs as well as the paste Schuyler bibles are bomb proof. They are built like tanks. Less squishy and once you get them broken in they lay flat as a board. I don’t see why edge lined automatically equals longevity? If the paste down liner splits your cover falls off but if the paper that the tab on an edge lined bible splits your cover falls off. Look at the reviews on the topaz there’s one thats a year old where the tab is separating. Look at Mathew Everhards crash test on the WM and the pit. The tab on the WM is splitting with less use than the pit while the pit only got retired because his eyes are getting old. My edge lined bibles are holding up fine but I gotta pit minion in 2018 that is going just as strong i say all this to make a case that Cambridge paste downs are among the best bound bible in the business. Cambridge please do more paste down CALFSKIN!!!

[@gleasonparker1684]

I agree 100 %. I like calfskin. Not so floppy. And no hump from edgie lining.

[@davegarciaofficial]

Cambridge made a MASSIVE mistake with this Bible. OT quotes in Mark are italicized (only when Jesus quotes them btw). The other 3 gospels do NOT italicize OT quotes at all. How on earth did this get past the designers and proofreaders???

[@markswinford354]

Neither.