The CSB Single Column Personal Size in Saddle Genuine Leather

I’m a heavy CSB user. Our church uses it and so I frequently preach, teach, and study from it. That being said, I get really excited when cool new CSB editions arrive. Before the Verse-by-Verse came out, my favorite was the Single Column Personal Size. That’s why I’m pumped that they’ve updated it to the 2020 text and slapped an exciting new leather around it! Let’s check it out!

This Bible comes in a nice box with the picture of the Bible on the front of it. However, the picture does not do this Bible justice. When I heard this was called Saddle leather my curiosity was certainly peaked. I knew I wanted to check this out. It certainly didn’t disappoint.

This is a light brown leather that has a texture that look like shiny dimples. It puts me in mind of a basketball. It’s unique and fun, which is something that the CSB badly needed to do. People are pushing the envelope and I’m glad to see Holman jump on the train. The leather also has a great grain to I and feels quite soft. I really like it and this Bible is going to be a go to for me.

The spine has four raised hubs. I was also really excited about this choice. I love raised hubs and to see them on this Bible is excellent. I wish they’d start doing raised hubs in their Handcrafted line. In gold on the spine is the CSB logo, “HOLY BIBLE”, “CHRISTIAN STANDARD BIBLE”, and “HOLMAN”.

Page edges have a gold gilt and there are two double-sided satin ribbon bookmarks—one in brown and the other is red. There are also matching tan head and tail bands.

Inside is a black vinyl, paste-down liner with black vinyl end sheets. It would have been nice if this Bible was edge-lined, but it unfortunately isn’t. However, it is Smyth-sewn and should last a good, long while.

The paper and layout seems similar to the old editions. I don’t think Holman is using any fancy paper here, but it does seem fairly opaque. Ghosting doesn’t seem bad at all. The layout is a single column paragraph format with textual notes at the bottom of each page. There is a tiny outer margin where you can write notes if your writing is small enough. The type size is fantastic at a 10 point. Words of Christ are in black.

In the back you’ll find a Concordance and full color maps. Between the Concordance and maps are a few pages for notes, which is nice. I also will say that Holman uses matte paper for their maps, which is the way to do it if you’re going to have them.

This Bible doesn’t have a lot of frills, but it does what it’s designed to do really well. It feels great in the hand. The font size is fantastic. The leather is now on par with such a fantastic Bible. I highly recommend this CSB. It’s a Bible that’s meant to be used and loved.

Pick up your copy at Lifeway or on Amazon. (affiliate)

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this CSB from Holman in exchange for a fair and honest review.