The Great Paper Weight Debate - Schuyler Quentel 36 vs 28 GSM Paper | Which is Better? 

36gsm all the way. The reason for me is the ability to use the bible. The 28 is so thin that it makes me afraid to turn the pages.

Great video, Tim! I have both a 36 GSM and a couple of the new 28 GSM Quentel/Canterbury. I would say the opacity seems comparable but where I really notice a difference is in feel. When turning the pages, the 36 GSM is much easier to grab and tends to "release" from the adjacent page much easier. It is worth the extra weight and thickness to me!

I purchased my first Schuyler Quentel just a month ago. I did it with a degree of hesitation knowing that the paper was 28gsm. When I received my bible I was quite impressed with the overall quality with the exception of the paper weight. I found 28gsm to be WAY TOO DELICATE! Every time I turn a page I fear I will tear it. I immediately knew I would be replacing this bible with another that has heavier paper. I also recently purchased two R L Allan bibles that have 36gsm paper. They had the same level of overall quality but the thicker paper was quite welcome. All 3 bibles were printed by Royal Jongbloed in the Netherlands. The printing work was top notch, but I am absolutely convinced that 28gsm paper is not heavy enough. Truth by told, I think a minimum of 40gsm would be ideal and I wouldn't complain if it was 45gsm.

I prefer at least 38 gsm paper, but that is rare these days. 36 gsm is really important to me. I am NOT a fan of 28 gsm - especially in a premium BIBLE. However, to be fair, I usually don't care about increases in the size of the Bible. I actually prefer a large Bible 90% of the time.

The difference is in the feel, especially when you often search through the Bible back and forth. 36gsm makes a world of difference!

All in for 36

Paper is a big differentiator for me. Lots of companies make good leather, liners, and ribbons for Bibles (plus there are rebinders). I have (3) 28 gsm Schuyler Bibles and (4) 36 gsm Zondervan & Thomas Nelson Bibles. I consistently prefer their 36 gsm paper. The feel and heft makes the difference. So if I consider another premium Bible purchase, there are times when the 28 gsm paper becomes my deciding factor.

Add me to the camp that's calling for a return to 36 gsm on the larger bibles. At minimum they should at least offer limited color/translation options that come with the thicker paper if not have the option on every line. Just a thought to the premium makers out there... add the option to completely customize the art gilding color, leather, and paper. I would pay $400 to do so. Might be a limited market but it's there.

I had a brick that I sold, but I still have some 36gsm and 28gsm. I tend to feel like the complaints on the 28 gsm are very overblown. I would however be in support of Schuyler doing the normal 36 gsm for their Quentels, and also doing a 28gsm 'thintel' without the concordance like they originally did with the NASB. That way you have a nice desk bible, and one that is more portable. My thintel is still my all time favorite Bible. Maybe one day we'll finally get an 8x5 Quentel.

I have Bibles with both and I’d much rather have a slightly bulkier Bible with the 36 gsm paper over the tissue paper thin 28. The coating on the 28 salvages it somewhat, but the 28 paper is very challenging to use. Hard to flip pages, big time corner paper curling, and fragility.

I have all 3 GSM paper (40,36,28) and I'm blessed enough to find the perfect pens & Highlighters that I can use in them all.... but...but I will say I use and perfer my 28gsm paper over the others because it's lightweight 🤗 Great video brother

My wife has a 28gsm Schyler and i have a LSB (printed in the same factory as the Schyler) which has 32 gsm and the paper in the LSB looks much better and feels better than the 28gsm.

I have actually purchased the Schuyler wide margin just for the thickness of the paper an it’s overall beauty. The font is very readable and you obviously have the option of note taking too. That being said, I still enjoy the 28 GSM Quentels and PSQ’s. Great subject video Tim. Thanks for doing this one.

Great perspective. I got a Legacy Standard Bible handy size in edge-lined goatskin. It has beautiful French milled 32 GSM paper. Even though it has a nice 9.5 font, the thinness of the paper and the bit of ghosting makes it not the best for writing and highlighting. Also, the paper seems a little fragile which has me a bit paranoid until it gets its first crease. Later I bought a LSB Large Print Wide Margin edge-lined cowhide. It has 40 GSM paper (printed in Korea). Although not as expensive of an edition, and despite its size and weight, I prefer it for study and marking because the paper is thicker, more opaque, and just easier to flip through. And the 10.5 font is so easy on the eyes. It will be my everyday Bible. I’ll use the handy size for a reader when I don’t want to hold the larger Bible. Sad to say, given the $100 difference, I prefer the larger less expensive one.

Oh thank you for the in depth explanation and comparison!

I absolutely love my 40gsm NASB wide margin Quentel. That paper to me feels and looks the best. I also like how my 36gsm NIV Quentel looks and feels. I’m glad that Evangelical stuck with the heavier paper for this translation because the 28gsm would probably have made the NIV block to thin because of the less amount of words it uses. I’m guessing maybe that’s why they stuck with the heavier weight. Not sure. I just can’t get myself to try one of the translations with the 28gsm, not because of opacity necessarily, but I just don’t want the paper to feel too cheap like I got it off of the bargain bin at Walmart. I’m assuming the NLT is going to be the lighter paperweight and I’m really excited about that translation in the Quentel so if that’s the case then I’ll eventually end up trying it.

Thanx, Brother Tim 🌹🌹🌹

You split the middle with 32 GSM paper like the LSB Handy Size did 😎

Going after those controversial topics! The courage! The bravery!

I prefer the thicker paper especially since I write and highlight in my Bible a lot but it also makes it easier to turn the pages

I don't care how big or heavy my Bible is, I care about it being as high quality in build and paper. I'll take the 45gsm any day.

36 or forget it. I use old school highlighters in my Bible. I require thicker paper.

Great reviews and I enjoyed hearing your thoughts. I have been using a Chinese Bible with cheap paper for many years and never thought about the thickness of paper. We don’t have options for a premium thick paper Chinese Bible, so I guess everyone is used to a so-called cheap Bible. Honestly, I never had any complaints about the quality until I started to read English Bibles and realized that there are so many different versions and quality differences. Regarding my own experience, I felt I was just spoiled with so many options. Even though I had one premium Bible now, I still went back to my old cheap worn out Chinese Bible. I love those days that I didn’t have any options and I treasured my Bible so much with a simple and thankful heart. Hope we just use the Bible we have, God will make us love the one we are using.

Thank you for the review. I recently bought my very first Quentel, 28 gsm. I also have a Humble Lamb with a 32 gsm. I really cannot tell the difference. But then the paper product is not the same either. The Quentel is a much softer paper, and the Humble Lamb is rougher. But with regards to the paper in either of these bibles, the paper is way better than all the other bibles I have because I have never purchased a premium bible before, therefore the quality of the paper that I am used to is much more along the economy quality. So I just love these bibles with the 28 and 32 gsm. With regards to marking in the bibles and the different paper, Cat Woods has many different videos on this subject, comparing pens, pencils, and highlighters.

We recently purchased a Schuyler Quentel Goat skin covered bible. We were disappointed by the 28 GSM paper. Like a lot of cheaper bibles, this paper is so thin and fragile that it is a little difficult to turn just one page at at time. It is also very sensitive to absorbing moisture from the air. Whatever happened to the really good paper of 50 years ago. I have a 43 year old NIV which has the best paper I have ever seen in a bible. The opacity is great, and the pages are easy to turn one at a time. The paper has a sort of a matte texture to it. The paper is not so sensitive to moisture that unlike most bible paper, merely breathing on it wont make the paper wrinkle. Is there no company in the world that still makes the quality of bible paper they were making 50 years ago?

I now only purchase 36gsn or higher in ANY bible. 28 or lower makes the paper stick together and wrinkles easier. If I buy a Schuyler again it will probably be the Wide Margin because it has 38gsm.

Great video... several months ago, I decided that i won't buy another regular Quentel or anything else from Schuyler until they bring back the 36 GSM or higher. It's just the best imo.

Rather have the 36 gsm paper.

Good information, thank you

I was just gifted a Schuyler Bible with 36GSM. It is so much better than 28 I used before. Easier to turn pages. Better reading experience. It's already a bigger bible so the size isn't an issue. Just awesome. Id love to see a 40GSM quentel and a 36GSM PSQ.

You hit on a really sore point with me. To my eye the difference between 36 and 28 is VERY noticeable. I would love a 45 gsm Schuyler. I think the move to 28 is terrible especially at that price. I actually want to read my Bible not just admire the cover. What Thomas Nelson is doing is fantastic. First of all their Premier Collection is priced very well. Add to that you can get all those editions in cheaper covers with the exact same text blocks.. These blocks with the fonts and paper put Schuyler to shame. Now of course you are limited to KJV, NKJV and NIV with Zondervan (sister co of Nelson).

I like the 28 gsm for the psq. It keeps it nice, thin and portable. I use my NASB Psq when I go to church. But when I’m at home at my desk, I wish my full size quentel had 36 gsm. It’s not as portable but I don’t bring it anywhere anyways. Bring back the 36 gsm for the full size quentel but keep the 28 gsm for the psq.

36 hands down!

Thank you .. l learned a lot . … Paper does make a difference for me. ✝️📖✝️

It's hard for me to tell the difference between paper quality in some of my Bible's unless I find specs online. In the past, the pen test bleed-through has been my test for thinness of paper. Some pages are like tissue! I don't like to flip pages that feel like they will rip by flip throughing it. I'm learning more about Bible specifics from you. I don't own this particular Bible in video, though. I don't own any premium Bibles. Thank you for your video! I'm alway learning!🎯🎉

I just prefer thicker paper in my Bibles in general. I like how the pages turn easier and the ghosting isn’t nearly as noticeable as a lot of thin lines. I’m willing to make the trade off of less portability. Edit: oh and I find red letter to be absolutely atrocious in most Bibles due to lack of print uniformity and the shade of red most used almost looks pink to my eyes. It’s an instant eye strain headache. Stack that on top of thin Bible paper and that’s a Bible that will sit on my shelf for the rest of its life.

It’s the same in many “higher-end” hobbies. You get to a point of diminishing returns where you have to pay more for small incremental changes. It is the smaller differences that generate the most strongly held opinions.

I LIKE THE 40 GSM OF THE BIG PRINT WM LSB.

I have the NIV in 36 and the ESV in 28. I love the sleekness of the ESV in 28, but I prefer the 36 paper in the NIV. Feels much like the paper in the Allan NCR Bibles. I may be wrong, but I believe it is also 36 like the old Q’s.

I have a Schuyler wide-margin Quentel (NASB) which is, I believe 40 gsm. I write in this Bible with my Micron 005 Bible note pens. I also have a Schuyler KJV Canterbury which is, of course 28 gsm. I do not write in that Bible. I like both of them a lot and I agree that the difference in paper weight is certainly a trade off. Both are good for the purposes I have for them. However, I feel that I have to be so careful with the 28gsm. Also, there has been some minor creasing with that Bible. I wonder if 32gsm would be a good compromise.

I've been thinking about it-- I think I'm ok with lighter weighted paper in bibles that I wouldn't be taking notes in. I would want heavier weighted paper in a bible that I take notes in.

Don't need a video to know that the 36 is better. Once I got an Allan Reader with 36 Gsm, I was good to go.

45 GSM or Nothing

I think also we are having a renaissance as it where of good printed Bibles. It’s got so bad for awhile that I could not read physical bibles for any length of time because the ghosting was so bad. I’ve been stuck using only apps on phones and tablets for the last decade or so. I know I’m a little late to the party but I just recently discovered the whole Premium Collection , 2K Denmark fonts, line spacing etc. I missed the old bibles printed 30 to 50 years ago and these new ones are better. I know it’s thanks to Schuyler, Allen and other high end pubs becoming so popular (capitalism at its best).

*Anyone know which one has like a "grainy" texture feel to the pages? My old Thompson Chain from 1960s?...50s?...has a delicious "grainy" feel to the bible pages making grasping the page VERY easy! The pages separate easily! The quality is fantastic!!! Some publishers today, make the bible pages kind of waxy?... shiny?... slicker? pages that make one have to resort to licking their thumb to grasp the page to turn.* *So Tim, does "graininess" (for lack of a better word) come into play with this GSM #'s stuff??? thanks Tim and anyone else who might have insight.😇*

Hey Frisch, if you see this I’d be very grateful for a response, it would really help me out! I am trying to find an NASB reference Bible to pour over at home but also take to church. I am torn between the Zondervan Premier single column and one of the Schuyler editions. I love the layout and font of the Zondervan more than the Schuyler - that comfort print is amazing because I have a study NASB that uses it, so I’d love to have that in a leather bound reference edition. It also has a nice paper thickness, and I love the single column as well as the layout of headings and such. My main drawback is that not all of the translator notes are included. From what I’ve heard not many at all are! That is so disappointing since that adds a lot to the NASB translation. I was going to read through this Bible I get once I finish my study Bible so I wanted something that would include those translator notes because as someone who loves to study and get as close to the original language as possible, they may end up being of great use to me. As far as Schuyler, people say that their Bibles are the best of the best, but is there really that much of a difference between them and the premier collection? The Quentel gsm also seems like it will be too thin for my preference. They don’t have the great comfort print, although their font is still good. Schuyler does have the single column for the NASB 2020, but I much prefer the 1995. And I’m sure they won’t publish a 95 single column. But having the translator notes would be so great. Do the Schuylers come with the complete set of translator notes anyway? Then there is the Quentel wide margin which seems nice, but isn’t single column, and I worry if the font will be too small; even though I am young, I intend to keep this Bible for a long time and I’m not sure how my eyeballs will hold up lol. I also worry if it will be too big to take to church. For comparison, I already own a goatskin KJV Maclaren which I take to church with me, and although it may be bigger than some bibles it is by no means huge. and I tried to compare the dimensions of both it and the Quentel wide margin and it seems like there isn’t much of a difference. Of course that may not be the case in person though. It seems like no matter which edition I settle on, I will have to compromise in one area or another. If the NASB premier had all the translator notes I’d be buying that faster than I’d be able to click the Add to Cart button. But their omission really bothers me. I’d appreciate any input you may be able to give, if at all.

36 at least, or nothing! I make an exception for the Cambridge clarion, but I only get those if they’re on sale, and the paper is so thin, it becomes easily damaged.

36 gsm paper, IMHO, is so much better! I recently purchased a Schuyler NASB Bible for our son, and I was shocked at how thin the 28 gsm paper is compared to the 36 gsm paper of my Schuyler ESV Bible. Granted, the 28 gsm paper makes their Bibles much lighter, but I don’t care for the stark white paper and the lighter weight.

52 GSM (for all Bibles).

Publishers do not seem to provide the paper GSM information, I would pay more for a larger book without the rice paper feel (and a good 12 point font minimum).

I got here trying to research paper to make something! Fascinating to know! I'm trying to find scritta paper for book making. Found 40gsm but would love to find blank 36 or 27/28 gsm scritta/India paper

I haven't had a 36gsm but the 40gsm wide margin vs 28gsm is opacity is so different to my eyes. Especially under stage lights. Would love to get my hands on a 36 or 45

36gsm all the way!!!!

I have a Cambridge Turquoise that I like very much. It is a daily reader and I read through the Bible each year. I like the paper fine, except for one thing…I get little tears at the bottom of the pages if I’m not careful and I turn the pages a little too roughly. I’ve not had this problem with any other Bible.

I would love a 45gsm paper for a Schuyler Bible. I would they would go back to at least 36gsm paper.

So what's the baseline? How much quid/bucks differences? I have a Clarendon... I tend to baby it.. I had a 28gsm perosnal size Ain'terbury(😂)... It's ok. Pay extra for the titanium pigment?? Really?. I have another Ain'terbury, i like the 36 gsm. Oh btw, i got a response from Skylwerh.. yesterday, they ain't going back to 36gsm. That comparison bet 45, 36 and 27 gsm.. the most objective comparison i have ever seen. I really enjoyed your nerdy review. I'm so glad this is a first world problem 😂😂😂. Nerd on guys.

36 GSM ALL THE WAY

I have a 28gsm Canterbury and I do feel like I have to be extra careful to not crease any pages compared to my 63NB's 40gsm and RoA Study Bible which is 22lb (32 gsm equivalent U.S. made paper). That said, I don't really mind; I just know to be a little more careful with lighter paper

I have a Thomas Nelson goat skin in a 36 GSM and a Skylar quintel PSQ and a 26 GSM so once for travel and one's for home

I have an Allan Reader and it is amazing quality. My issue is with the ghosting. Any recommendations for a hight quality bible with little to no ghosting?

I have a 36 gsm Canterbury and a 28 gsm Quentel. First, I would say it’s just not really that big of a difference. Second, I would say that I can tell a noticeable difference in the opacity (maybe it’s just me), and I certainly prefer the 36.

As the print size increases, the need for more opacity increases, to reduce show-through. Even if printed line over line. It's about readability (clarity of the lettering). Imo ...

My pocket-sized KJV has very thin paper to make it pocket-sized. I have no problem with it, as I learned how to turn pages when I was 4. I got my first thin paper KJV New Testament when I was 8. I could easily turn the pages, and other than the white cover yellowing, the pages are still in perfect shape. My first full KJV Bible came when I was 12 and joined the church. My father gave it to me, and that was my daily use Bible for decades. Other than the pages turning brown a bit, it's also in perfect condition. My pocket-sized Bible that I got at age 17 was in perfect condition until I loaned it to my younger sister. At least all the pages are still there, and the plastic cover is still in perfect shape so I can still carry it. I wouldn't really want a Bible with thick heavy pages. Thin paper actually used to be called Bible paper, owing to it's nearly universal use in printing Bibles and a few reference books.

The 32 gsm is the sweetspot, such as in the ALLAN NASB

I personally don’t mind 36 GSM so long as it doesn’t greatly leave the text block so thick because the format added more pages to the book. If fact, I’ve avoided buying any of steadfasts reference editions because they are all massive bibles not just because of the thicker paper but they are opting for larger fonts as well. I’m currently waiting in the wings for an LSB reference edition that isn’t a brick.

I like my Bible to have a delay before it hits the floor, if it were to ever fall out of my hands. So I’m more of a 1GSM or 6 at most.

Nice review! Would the heavier paper be less likely to tear?

Seeing many people say 36 gsm is a must have, and as a dad of small kids having thicker paper resonates with me. But right now the only Quentels available are the 28. Does anybody have a 36 gsm Quentel they’d be willing to sell?

I watched to the very end. Do I get a prize?😁

The Bible is meant to be a weighty book! We need more premium bibles in 45 gsm fat boys! Yes !!! Let’s GO! If you want a light weight premium there’s tons and tons but come on let’s get a 45 gsm 11 pt, full size- Tuscan or Mahogany leather ..

I just received a Schuyler Quintel NIV and noticed it was slightly larger, thicker than my other quintels. Why? Was there more stuff in there, more texts? Then I noticed it evidently the only one with 36gsm paper. I usually like thicker paper, but I kind of am getting used to the 28gsm. Twenty Eight is thick enough not to worry about tearing pages with normal usage. The thicker 36 gsm paper does make the Bible of this size seem even larger. I see a tiny bit of improvement in shadowing from text on the other side, but it’s not much. Why this NIV is the only one with 36, I do not know.

Often some Bibles become paper weights

I need 2 things, large comfortable font and thicker paper which means 36gsm minimum. I don't understand how you can actually study from a small pocket size bible...

Blessings to you all. I need a bit of help. I've been through a library of Bibles because honestly I go through it much. So the last time/longevity with Bibles is short. In all this time, it seems I have figured out (finally) what I desire in a Bible. The thing is ... I can't find a single company that'll accommodate my preference. And it's this simple: 1. Very thick paper as I write and underline a lot! I hate bleeding through paper. 2. Wide margins for my journal/note taking 3. Extra paper in the back (blank) for extra notations. 4. Durable leather. Finally, I don't care of the weight or size. I had a Cambridge and it too fell apart on me. Can anyone plz help lead me toward the right company that can meet my need in a Bible?

I don't write in my schuyler's and they are big bibles,sooooo the 28 gsm works for me. Justva little thinner and a smigin (is that a word? It is roday) lighter so 28gsm works for me. Its what I take to church. I like to show off the bible.

Why is it called a Quintel?

I’m 36 gsm only!

i hate comfort print and the white paper it usually comes on.

I am ignorant of the facts. And I have no preference.

Oh no!! Does this mean there are KJV36GSMONLY crowds now? JK.

Too much ghosting with 28gsm for a premium Bible. I go premium due to ghosting

Bring back 36gsm

36gsm by far the better paper

36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36!!!!!!

Paper doesn't matter to me. It's the words that are on it.

I prefer the 28 gsm. It might feel more delicate, but it is not by any means.

Sign of the times and priorities. Ukraine War, innocent lives lost, Christian persecution all over the world, the need to pray unceasingly....and then the weight of a bibles paper. 2 Chr. 7:14.

This comparison is way too wordy. We don't need 13 minutes, comparing coffees or know the size of a person and their experience to hear if GENERALLY 36 is an over all better quality paper than 28. So I'm moving on to next Review to find out that answer