# 4 Year 'Crash Test', Cambridge Topaz Bible ![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/N-2Kg-xBbxY/maxresdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCIAKENAF8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-CYAC0AWKAgwIABABGGUgWChVMA8=&rs=AOn4CLB6NwU1rz72Q9YrtwynVfCQdrTDyw) ## Introduction and Initial Impressions - A four-year "[[Crash test | crash test]]" of the Cambridge [[Bible | Topaz Bible]] in the [[English Standard Version]] (ESV) translation is being conducted, although the reviewer notes that the translation may not be a significant factor in the review [(00:01:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=69s). - The reviewer had stopped doing traditional Bible reviews, feeling that they were more like sales pitches than genuine reviews, but still wants to help viewers find the right Bible for their needs [(00:00:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=42s). - The Cambridge [[Topaz]] was one of the first Bibles reviewed, purchased by the reviewer in 2020, and was initially used regularly for about six to eight months before being set aside [(00:01:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=83s). - The reviewer has a history with Cambridge Bibles, having previously reviewed the Cambridge Wide Margin and owning a Cambridge Pitt Minion, but found the font sizes to be too small for regular use [(00:01:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=108s). ## Resuming Use and Overall Assessment - The reviewer picked up the Cambridge Topaz again about a year and a half to two years ago, after a church switch, and has been using it regularly since then [(00:03:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=210s). - The reviewer notes that the Cambridge Topaz is not their "unicorn" [[Bible]], but it is close, and they will explain why in the review [(00:02:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=152s). - The reviewer mentions that they have not been keeping up with new Bible releases in the last year or so, but wanted to share their thoughts on the Cambridge [[Topaz]] after extended use [(00:02:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=174s). ## Physical Qualities and Features - The Cambridge Topaz Bible is a high-quality Bible with goat skin leather and blue art gilding on the side, and it has held up really well over time [(00:04:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=264s). - The Bible has two nice, thick, double-sided satin ribbons, which is an improvement over Cambridge's usual weak ribbons [(00:04:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=278s). - [[Bible | The Bible]] has a 10.5-point font, which is considered large print, making it easy to read, especially for those who need glasses or have vision problems [(00:05:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=310s). - The Bible is verse by verse, meaning every single verse starts on a new line, which is a personal preference for following along with teachers and preachers [(00:05:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=352s). - The Bible is not too big and is not a study Bible, but it does have cross references, although some may prefer it without them [(00:06:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=407s). - The words in the Bible are not stuck too close together, making it easy to read and understand [(00:07:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=420s). ## Reasons for Choosing and Using This Bible - [[Bible | The Bible]] was chosen because it is an [[English Standard Version | ESV]], which is the preferred translation, and it has been used regularly for the last year and a half [(00:03:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=227s). ## Readability and Handling - The Cambridge [[Topaz]] Bible is easy to read, with the perfect amount of "floppy factor" making it comfortable to handle [(00:07:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=432s). ## Thoughts on Cross-References - The Bible's cross-references are not necessary for personal day-to-day use, as other resources like [[Logos Bible Software | Logos]] [[Bible]] software are utilized for in-depth study [(00:07:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=451s). - The inclusion of cross-references takes up space that could be used for larger margins or a smaller overall size [(00:08:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=513s). - A thinner Bible with verse-by-verse layout and 10-point font would be ideal, but it's unclear if this is feasible [(00:08:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=529s). - The Bible has a concordance, which could be removed to make the book thinner, but this feature is not necessary for personal everyday use [(00:09:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=545s). - Other resources, such as study Bibles and Logos, provide access to information that would otherwise be included in the everyday use Bible [(00:09:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=560s). ## Size and Portability - The Cambridge [[Bible | Topaz Bible]] is a good size, not too big or heavy, making it suitable for daily carry [(00:10:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=604s). - The Bible is not too hard to carry around, and writing in it is not a problem, with some notes and annotations already added [(00:10:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=629s). ## Personal Annotations and Durability - The writer uses a Cambridge [[Topaz]] Bible, specifically the [[English Standard Version | ESV]] edition, and also mentions that it is available in the [[New King James Version | NKJV]] edition [(00:10:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=636s). - The writer started writing in this Bible using a Pigma [[Micron Technology | Micron]] 0.5 pen and prefers to use yellow ink because it stands out well on the paper [(00:10:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=645s). - The writer avoids using black ink in this [[Bible]] because it tends to blend in with the text, and instead uses other colors, which has been helpful despite being color blind [(00:11:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=662s). - The writer has been using this Bible for a year and a half to two years and it has held up well, with the art gilding also showing minimal wear [(00:11:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=702s). - The Bible has been used constantly, but was stored on a shelf for about a year, and still looks almost brand new [(00:11:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=707s). ## Value and Purchasing Advice - The writer notes that the Bible is a worthwhile investment, costing a couple hundred dollars, which is comparable to the cost of a phone [(00:12:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=727s). - The writer recommends finding a [[Bible]] that is easy to read and use, as it will encourage more frequent use [(00:13:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=807s). - The writer invites viewers to leave questions in the comments and will do their best to answer them [(00:13:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=815s). - The writer mentions that the Bible can be purchased from [[Amazon (company) | Amazon]], with a link provided in the video description, and can be returned if not liked [(00:12:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2Kg-xBbxY&t=759s).