Nothing compares to the quality of a hand-crafted Thompson® leather Bible. You'll notice the difference the moment you lift a new leather Thompson® from its protective box. Before you can open your new Bible, the wonderful scent of genuine leather will fill the room. We are very careful about the leather we accept. Only the finest hides are used to handcraft your Thompson® Bible, and it takes a full day to make one.

One reason we're so choosy about our leather is because Thompson® Bibles are crafted for a lifetime of use. If you own a Thompson® you already know that the more you use a Thompson® the better the leather feels. It gets softer and more supple every year. Men tell us their Thompson® fits their hand like a baseball glove. Women say they hold it to their chest like a dear child.

In some ways explaining what bonded leather is can be the same as describing the difference between ground beef and steak. The material is leather that is "left over" or otherwise not in its original form, pressed together and adhered to other leather via a bonding agent. This type of leather, sometimes referred to as reconstituted leather, is an alternative to what is known as genuine leather, which are whole pieces of animal hide.

Some may confuse bonded leather with artificial leather or synthetic leather, which should not be done. In some cases, a bonded leather product is 100 percent leather. In other cases, such as bonded leather upholstery, there could be as little as 17 percent leather in the product. Those looking at bonded leather should understand this is an option that does include real leather. Some may appreciate that fact, while others may not.

The difference between bonded leather and genuine leather, in terms of quality and looks, can be hard to see. If it is done properly, the grains and textures of bonded leather should look very close to that of genuine leather. In some cases, the only different may be that the texture of the bonded leather may not be quite as pronounced as that of natural-grained genuine leather. The function, smell, and overall appearance remains much the same, however.

The other major difference with bonded leather is in the cost. It is often available at a substantial discount over genuine leather. This is because the leather scraps, or leather fibres, would have no other value, or very little value, if not made into a bonded form. Therefore, it is still considered a good deal for the manufacturer to sell it at a reduced cost.

One of the most common applications for bonded leather is in the covers for books, especially Bibles. The leather for Bibles can be bonded and still very easily create the desired look and feel. While full disclosure often means the words "bonded leather" appear somewhere on the cover, it would otherwise be hard to tell the difference. It has become such a product of choice for Bibles that finding them in genuine leather is becoming more difficult.

As with all types of leather, the material remains very durable, able to withstand a number of conditions, including heat and moisture. This is a hallmark of leather and why it is used in applications such as Bibles, shoes, belts, and even sports balls. In the end, the choice will usually come down to a personal preference.

BONDED BIBLE LEATHER

Bonded leather or reconstituted leather is a material made of varying degrees of genuine leather combined with other substances to give the appearance of leather at reduced cost. Bonded leather can be found in furniture, bookbinding, and various fashion accessories. Examples of products that are most commonly constructed with different varieties of "bonded leather" are: Bibles, diaries, art books, desk accessories, hymnals, bags, belts, chairs, and sofas.

CAPRI GRAIN BIBLE LEATHER

Capri grain is a relatively soft, smooth leather used ito make clothing and Bible covers (eg, Thompson Chain Reference). Simulated vinyl is often offered in its place, but lacks the essentail quality and durability. Common shades for capri-grain leather are black, burgundy, and tan. 

LEVANT GRAIN BIBLE LEATHER

Leather with a characteristic drawn-grain pattern, produced originally by an astringent tannage, but nowadays by hand or machine boarding or semi-s=chrome goat and sheepskin, or vegetable tanned seal skin.
 

Note: When the pattern is produced by embossing, it is called "Levant grain".

Please watch the video to get an idea how Bible Leather is made. Please note this is not a video made based on the "Levant Grain or Capri Grain" Finish or made for Thompson bibles.

 The Word of God should be our most treasured possession. If you love God's Word you deserve to carry a Thompson® Bible. It's an investment you'll be happy you made.

"We wish you could feel this new "Kirvella" material, which is man-made Calf Skin! Looks like Calf Skin, feels like it, and wears like it, at a fraction of the cost. "

Here's the deal with the new imitation Bible leathers -- They overturn the traditional thinking. Used to be, imitation leathers were at the bottom of the value pyramid, followed in ascending order by bonded leather, genuine leather, various varieties of calfskin, and goatskin. These days, an imitation leather cover is more flexible out of the box than pretty much all the bonded and genuine leather options available. That means the most affordable cover is also the most practical, especially at a time when the quality of affordable leather seems to be on a downward spiral. As a result of all this, I'm fond of saying that the best values in the Bible market are at the extremes: at the low end and the high end, you get your money's worth -- in the middle there are no guarantees.

The first time I noticed one of these new Bible bindings was when I picked up a black-cover, silver-edged Compact Edition Bible. I was impressed that it opened flat out of the box, and that the imitation leather Bible cover was so incredibly supple and flexible.

It wasn't an immediate epiphany. I passed by the display of Bibles again and again to handle them, but didn't put down the money to take one home. After all, it was imitation Bible leather, and I was the guy complaining that the genuine leather Bible didn't feel genuine anymore. Wouldn't imitation leather -- pleather! -- be a huge step down? I spent more time agonizing over that purchase than I have over spending five times the money or more, because it just seemed ... wrong ... that imitation Bible leather could feel so good.

Well, it does. Since then, I've become a convert. You won't get my goatskin away unless you pry it from my cold, dead fingers (or something like that), but there is now a place in my heart for the humble, affordable imitators. The question is, what is this stuff? People have asked, and I've always claimed ignorance. I assumed it was some sort of PVC or plastic, a high-tech synthetic, but really, that was just a guess.

Synthetic Bible leathers are coagulated PU's (polyurethane) on a non-woven support (made out of viscose). The advantages of this kind of products are the thermo effect, the smooth hand and feel, and the possibility of providing a large range of colours and finishings.

Compared to regular Bible leathers, PU's are studied to perform with all kind of glues as well as stamping foils, and to be converted on both automatic and semi-automatic case makers. Additionally, PU's are coagulated and produced under a set of very strict regulations in the European Union, so you can be sure that they do not contain or generate during production harmful emissions, plasticizers, PVC's, lead (or any metals), cadmium, or azo dyes.

The "thermo effect" refers to the material's ability to be heat-burnished (i.e., to darken when hit with a hot die).

How's that for a science lesson? To sum it all up, the polyurethane covers provide a leather-like feel that's actually superior to a lot of bonded and genuine leather bible finishes. In most cases, the difference between good and bad design comes down to care, not cost.

 Please watch the video to get an idea how Imitation Bible Leather is made. Please note this is not a video made based on the "Kirvella" Finish or made for Thompson bibles.