A Case for the Midsize Quentel
Four reasons why Schuyler needs to expand their Quentel line again one more time.
I launched Bible Review Blog earlier this year by going on a quest to find the perfect small Bible, and the one that impressed me the most was the Personal Size Quentel (PSQ) from Schuyler Bibles. A few months later, I explored the world of premium ESV large Bibles, and the full-size Quentel held its own alongside stunning Bibles from Cambridge, R.L. Allan, and Crossway. It’s no surprise, then, that my review last month of the newest addition to the Quentel family, the NASB Wide Margin Quentel, was glowing.
Bottom line: I think the Quentel series from Schuyler is terrific. From the aesthetic touches to the readability and the high-quality construction, everything about the Quentel family is special.
But something struck me as I was reviewing that Wide Margin Quentel. It’s such a simple thought, but I have not been able to get it out of my mind for weeks.
Schuyler needs to make a Midsize Quentel.
The photos you see in this blog are of an NIV PSQ, ESV Quentel, and NASB Wide Margin Quentel.
The Perfect Size
To be totally honest, the idea of a Midsize Quentel first crept into my mind back when I reviewed the NIV Classic Reference Edition from R.L. Allan. That Bible’s 5.35” x 8.35” trim size was just about perfect (not too small, not too big), and I couldn’t help but think, “I wish Schuyler has a Quentel that was this size.” I mentioned this to a few of my Bible-loving friends (my wife calls them my “Bible buddies”), and they all agreed that it would be an awesome addition to the Quentel lineup.
Fast forward a few months, and as I was writing about the NASB Wide Margin Quentel, the thought occurred to me that if I trimmed the margins off that Bible it would essentially be the Midsize Quentel I was longing for.
If you’re wondering, the answer is YES:
I seriously considered cutting that Bible down to make my own, one-of-a-kind Midsize Quentel. Thankfully, I realized that was a bad idea pretty quickly, and I don’t have any photos to show you of a mangled Bible.
So here I am, hoping that the pen truly is mightier than the sword. But before I make my case for why Schuyler needs to publish a Midsize Quentel, let me give you a quick overview.
The Midsize Quentel, or MSQ, is a Bible that fits perfectly between the original Quentel and the PSQ in terms of overall size, with a 5.25” x 8.25” trim size and a 9.75pt font (I actually used a ruler on the Wide Margin Quentel to map this out, and it totally works). The Midsize Quentel has all of the same features you’ve come to love from Schuyler – edge-lined covers, Smyth-sewn bindings, premium paper, gorgeous aesthetics, and the best Bible maps around – in a versatile size that you’re sure to love.
The Wide Margin Quentel (top) has a 9.5pt font, compared to the 8.5pt font of the PSQ (lower left) and the 11pt font of the Quentel (lower right).
Making My Case
Here are four reasons why I think Schuyler should actually make a Midsize Quentel.
1. There is a need for high-quality midsize Bibles.
My searches for the perfect small and large Bibles actually led me to the realization of just how much I love Bibles that are sized somewhere in between. Small is great when you’re on the go, and large is nice when you have a desk on which to lay your Bible, but when you’re reading the Bible in the morning on the couch with a cup of coffee in hand, it would be great to have something that splits the difference. There are certainly Bibles out there that do just that, but nothing as special as the Quentel line, and a Midsize Quentel would be just right.
2. It’s the perfect type size.
The best part of the Wide Margin Quentel it its 9.5pt type size, which is essentially the same (just a hair smaller) as my proposed 9.75pt type size for the Midsize Quentel. This is the exact midpoint between the Quentel (11pt) and the PSQ (8.5pt). My only quibble with the original Quentel is that the 11pt type size is almost too big. That’s obviously subjective, and I know a lot of people who love the Quentel because of how large the font is, but it’s something I think about almost every time I open a full-size Quentel. Not all typefaces are created equal, and the Milo font used in the Quentel family reads much bigger than other fonts of the same size. This means that a Midsize Quentel would be just as readable as many larger Bibles, without being overly bulky.
3. It makes sense.
It cracks me up when I see people commenting on Bible publishers’ social media posts about what they’d like to see, often describing super specific Bibles that only a small handful of people might be interesting in purchasing. It takes a lot of time and money to create a completely new typesetting of a Bible, but Schuyler clearly has an established process and rhythm for making new formats in the Quentel line. The Midsize Quentel is a natural next step that does not require them to start from scratch.
4. They will sell.
Let’s not forget that Schuyler is a business, and they need to be able to sell Bibles. For all the reasons above, I think the Midsize Quentel would be a popular Bible for Schuyler. Not only do you have the dedicated fans who will buy one in every translation just because they love Schuyler, but I think a lot of people will be drawn to the idea of a Bible that splits the difference in size between the Quentels that are already available. A Midsize Quentel would fill a gap in the Bible marketplace, offering a truly premium midsize option that readers will love.
What am I leaving out?
Let me know in the comments below if you can think of other reasons why a Midsize Quentel would be a good idea.
The NASB Wide Margin Quentel (left) with the ESV Quentel (top right) and the NIV Personal Size Quentel (lower right).
One Can Hope
I won’t hold my breath for a Midsize Quentel, but I figured it was worth a shot to make my case. At a minimum, I hope this post gives the folks at Schuyler a good laugh. At the end of the day, I’m just a fan of great Bibles, and Schuyler makes some of the very best around.
If you’ve never checked out one of the various Quentels that are currently in production, you should definitely give them a look.
>> Keep Scrolling to Watch Video Reviews of Several Schuyler Bibles <<
The NIV Personal Size Quentel (left) next to the NASB Wide Margin Quentel (right).
BUYING THIS BIBLE*
• Schuyler Bibles are available exclusively at EvangelicalBible.com.
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About Tim Wildsmith: “I’m a pastor, writer, and musician from Nashville, where I live with my wife, Becca. I have always loved a Bible that is beautifully designed, well-crafted, and practical, and I’m convinced that finding a Bible you love and enjoy reading will make you want to spend more time with it.” Click here to read the full bio.
