RL Allan ESV3 Antique Brown

What has the new Allan ESV3 got to do with the little piggy? Both are hand crafted...well, actually the piggy is more like hand-painted :)

When Allan first offered ESV1 in Brown Highland goatskin option, I actually pre-ordered an unit, but after much deliberation, I decided against it. There wasn't enough "unique" differences as compared to the Black & Tan... So I opted to wait for a future edition with perhaps lined papers at the end...(won't that be nice?)


But when the brown BUFFALO grain goatskin option was offered...my heart started to "ache" again...especially when I really like my other Allan Bible with the buffalo grain binding so much...and besides, the price was CHEAPER too...

When the bible arrived, the very first impression I got was - the old Allan 6C's buffalo grain calfskin looks prettier. May be it has to do with 6C's gloss finish. The gloss somehow brings out the grain pattern better.


So how does it compare with the pricier Highland goatskin option?

I think if you are ONLY going to get ONE Allan ESV bible, then go for the ESV1. It has enough extra features & advantages to justify the higher price.

Since the text block is the same between ESV1 & ESV3, the extra £20 will get u:

1) Semi-Yapp Highland Goatskin Binding
2) Extra Ribbon
3) and MAPS!


First, there is no comparison in the "feel department" for Highland Goatskin. Trust me. Second, ESV1 is leather lined inside (instead of using "quality paper" with the ESV3) which gives the whole Bible a much higher quality look & feel. Third, semi-yapp binding is effective in preventing accidental scuffing of the side gilt.

Unless u absolutely HATE the ultra-supple feel of the Highland Goatskin...then the stiffer buffalo grain binding for ESV3 will be your cup of tea. Btw, "stiff" here doesn't mean it is cardboard-stiff like most of the bonded leather types. The ESV3 binding is still pliable. It bends most willingly under your hands, and it flexes back when u let go.


For some, the extra ribbon marker is a must. Personally, I think 2 is enough....but the more the merrier lah.


Lastly, there are no maps at the back of ESV3...sources imply the reason was to save cost...but I did find an unexpected gem at the back!

U notice the extra line of stitching down the page? NOT even ESV1 has THAT!!!

Modern bibles are mostly glued - so that explains why your bible tends to "fall out" every couple of months, or years pending on your usage. But all Allan bibles are smyth sewn. The text block is stitched, thus making it nearly indestructable.

However, ONLY the very BEST of the bibles has this "extra treatment" - this so called double-line stitching. And usually u find it at the front of the bible. But ESV3 has double-stitch front AND back. So in theory, this would make ESV3's text block "longer lasting" than ESV1.


Should u be looking for a quality BROWN ESV translation, another excellent alternative is Crossway's Calfskin edition. So far, Crossway's Cordovan Calfskin Thinline is still my favourite ESV bible. The binding is absolutely gorgeous & the calfskin is silky soft. U might want to check it out too. However, be warned that there could be a problem with the latest batch of Cordorvan Calfskin as there seemed to be a few "bad reports".

Conclusion: ESV3 is by itself an excellent bible. It might fall "short" when compared to its higher-priced cousins, but that "short" is VERY VERY VERY "short". I love it for its rugged look & stiffer binding. And meantime, I am still dreaming for a future option with lined papers at the back...and a BETTER text block ;)