Long post ahead! 😊

In case this post persists in the future, long after we have good data on the offerings from the 2 publishers, let me preface by saying this is a comparison of the publishers’ current Bible offerings, Ascension’s Great Adventure Bible Premium Edition, and the Word on Fire Bible in Leather. I’m submitting it in absence of some current details from the publishers.

Since many on this sub are debating which publisher to use, and a pre-order deadline is coming up, I am hoping my post will help with decision making. 

\*\*\*LEATHER: First, Ascension states on their website that their mid-tier LOTH will be comparable in binding to the Great Adventure Premium (GAB). The GAB is on the right in my picture, in brown goatskin.  It is very soft goatskin, luxurious to touch, and folds back upon itself very easily.   It is edge-lined in real leather which contributes to its supple hand feel.

The Word on Fire Bible (WOF) in black on the left, has a binding constructed of what WOF identifies as “leather”. They do not say what kind of leather, but any publisher using a luxury tier of leather will specify what it is, aka full grain goatskin, sheepskin, calfskin, etc.  Publishers will not miss the opportunity to brag, because it’s the quality of leather that largely drives price.  WOF has not yet said what kind of leather they will use for their LOTH, but the preview of the 4 volumes’ spines on their site appears the same as the spine on all 5 of my WOF bibles.  Perhaps it’s just a mockup, but in the absence of other details, I will guess that the LOTH from WOF will be comparable in leather quality to their WOF Bible.

\*\*\*LINING: As mentioned above, the GAB is edge lined in very soft leather (unspecified type but I suspect cowhide.) That lining is very thin and soft, making for a floppy, cushy feeling while holding.

The lining on the WOF is not leather.  It is a synthetic material, I suspect vinyl? It is not sewn, but rather glued down.  The glue gives it a stiff, almost crinkly feel.  I‘m afraid that if I were to bend the cover too far back, it would crack due to that glued down plasticky feeling liner.  

\*\*\*PAPER: The GAB uses very nice Bible paper.  It‘s bright, easy to read, and not too thin.  The WOF paper is very thick, almost glossy, more of a coffee-table book type of paper. It’s nearly impossible to say which of these papers are “nicer”, because WOF is publishing what almost amount to beautiful sacred art books.  They can use the thicker paper because their Bible is spread out over 7 volumes.  If WOF used true Bible paper, their books would be thinner and lighter, and perhaps they could do the whole Bible in fewer volumes.  Conversely, if Ascension used such thick paper for the GAB, their single volume Bible would be a boat anchor! ⚓️ 

\*\*\*PRINTER: Ascension top-tier printer will be Royal Jongbloed in Denmark, mid and lower tiers unknown (GAB premium printed in China)

WOF, printer currently unknown, but WOF Leather Bible printed by unnamed publisher in Italy (LEGO?)

\*\*\*BOTTOM LINE: I was moved to write this post because some on this sub have stated that WOF LOTH will be a premium book.  I suppose that depends on your personal definition of premium. In the Bible publishing world, the WOF would be more mid-tier (my opinion only). Sure, the WOF is printed in Italy, with gorgeous type and pictures. WOF is undoubtedly a beautiful Bible, and I love mine.  But if you compare the binding alone, the WOF is nowhere near the level of quality of the GAB, despite the GAB being printed in China.  I can only imagine that Ascension‘s top-tier LOTH, being printed by Royal Jongbloed, in a quality of leather even higher than what they use for the GAB, will be sublime.  

I hope my post is helpful as you ponder your decision.  Price-wise, I think both publishers are offering books at fair prices, based on what I think their respective quality will be. Both books will be absolutely beautiful, I have no doubt, based on the Bibles they currently produce.  I personally consider my GAB to be a luxury, and my WOF to be very nice.  Lovely to look at certainly, but just ”very nice” in terms of quality.

I‘m glad there will be a variety of qualities from which to choose.  I truly wish there would be a beautiful hardback as well, or even a nice paperback which could be put into a protective cover, to make the books even more accessible to those who desire to pray the new edition.  One does not need a luxury book in order to pray the hours with the Church.  🙏 Maybe in the future.😊

LOTH 2nd Edition Potential Quality Comparison