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| Posted | Discussion |
| Nov. 19, 2008 AlleninGa Men's 60 113 posts | Nokona gloves I am considering trying a Nokona glove. I would welcome input from anyone who has had experience with this Brand. I have heard they are lightweight and soft leather (Kangaroo) and wonder how they holdup over a couple of years. |
| Nov. 19, 2008 #6 Men's 60 1173 posts | AlleninGa, I had a Nokona glove and it was the hardest glove to break in that I have ever had.If you can find a real good used one, go for it or go to: glovesmith.com and order a custom glove, you won't be sorry. Hope this helps. Good luck. |
| Nov. 19, 2008 DMac Men's 60 207 posts | Allan: I have a Nokona and I like it very much. My nickname in the field used to be "Fifty-Fifty". Since I started using the Nokona, I am regularly called "Sixty-Forty" and occasionally "Seventy-Thirty". I even had two tourneys where my fielding percentage was higher than my batting average. It was the easiest glove to break in that I have ever owned. |
| Nov. 19, 2008 #19 Men's 70 302 posts | DMac... That's one of the funniest posts I've ever read!!! :-) |
| Nov. 19, 2008 4x4 Men's 65 601 posts | Allen - A couple of years ago I bought a 14" Kangaroo Nakona figuring I'd have a glove that would last forever. Well - I spent about forever trying to break that thing in. I finally sold it and got a six finger Rawlings which I have enjoyed using. The 14" Nakona felt uncentered and top heavy. I also have an infield Nakona (cow hide) 12.75 which is a great glove. So, I guess it depends on which one you get. |
| Nov. 19, 2008 jolly52 Men's 60 53 posts | I agree bought the Nokona softball 14" edition glove and thought it would be a glove I would have for years to come... I was wrong always felt like I was playing with a weight on my hand never did feel comfortable and never seemed to break in for me... sold it after a year bought a Liberty worth and it is breaking in nicely... I will say Nokona was well made just to heavy and not very user friendly... |
| Nov. 19, 2008 apraisr Men's 50 18 posts | I have a 13" Nokona glove and love it. I have had it for about a decade and it was not that hard to break in ( as opposed to others). I am looking at purchasing a new glove and will be considering a Nokona but will look at other brands too. I will probably stay at 13 or drop to 12.5. I pitch but dont like the big 14 anymore. |
| Nov. 19, 2008 Hacker Men's 75 52 posts | AlleninGa, I have a 13" Nokona which I bought about a year ago. It is indeed a high-quality glove and will probably outlast me. It's cowhide...I hear the kangaroo won't last as long. The model I have is heavier than I would prefer and is still not quite "broken-in" (over 1 year!). I've regularly used Rawling "break-in" oil and other types of conditioners but it's still not soft enough. I think it will take several years before it's properly broken in but it will always remain heaver than I would like. Unfortunately, I don't use it as my preferred game glove 'cus it's still a little too stiff. I believe their less-expensive models might not be as stiff. My game glove is a WORTH that I bought in 1987...great glove! |
| Nov. 19, 2008 gary#27nor.ca.storm Men's 55 58 posts | i have a nokona amg 700k half cowhide half kangaoo great glove not to heavy cowhide for the pocket kangaroo for the backside they will make it how you want hope this helps. |
| Nov. 20, 2008 DoubleL10 Men's 70 907 posts | I bought a 14" Nokona AMG 700k in 1996. It was the best glove I ever owned - I still use it occasionally. It is nice and light and was very easy to break in. I now use a Vinci 14" glove that I also like but it is much heavier and will last longer. |
| Nov. 20, 2008 AlleninGa Men's 60 113 posts | Thanks guys, the information helps a lot. I 've been using Mizuno's for the last couple of years, but they tend to get a little loose for the infield after about 2 years. I started using a 13" and the ball tends to spring out on hard grounders if it doesn't hit in the pocket or web. I may go back to a 12.5. I looked on the GloveSmith website like # 6 suggested and that is definitely an option. I will probably visit a local GloveSmith retailer and get a little more information. If ya'll don't hear from me for a while, it's because I'll be recuperating from the beating my wife gave me for buying another glove. What the heck, it won't be the first whuppin' I ever got. Nokona is still in the mix. |
| Nov. 20, 2008 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | A couple rules fo thumb. Oil tends to absorb and make gloves heavy. The quicker the break-in, the shorter the glove will last. |
| Nov. 20, 2008 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | Allen, sounds like domestic battery! |
| Nov. 20, 2008 AlleninGa Men's 60 113 posts | Battery???? I guess so.............she can put a charge in those butt whuppin's. Sort of like an "Everready"; they last a long time:-) Just kidding,Debra's a sweetheart (just tough as hell) |
| Nov. 20, 2008 Ho 301 posts | I've been using my Nokona glove for the last eight years (12 1/2 mid-infielder glove). Used it off the shelf but kept it loose with proper care and conditioning. It has gone through over 600 games and is just starting to get a little worn in the inside padding. Still have the original rawhide in the stringing, except the thumb grip is worn. Used to be strictly a Rawlings person, but the previous Rawlings I had (14 inch) took an eternity to break-in, so I bought the Nokona.. For all you current and former union members, you may be interested in knowing NOKONA is I believe the only current glove made in the United States..probably why the workmanship is so good. Ho. |
| Nov. 20, 2008 Nancy Allen Men's 55 1438 posts | I agree that they are hard to break in. I have a 1B mitt that was just too stiff new and used a product that came in a can. You saturated the glove in it and then baked it, but it is just right now. It probably was not a great thing to do to the glove though. Allen, you should have bought the glove your wife and then asked to borrow it if she was not using it. I have a friend who has done that with a few bats. Thankfully his wife thinks it is funny. |
| Nov. 20, 2008 bashbro1 Men's 70 267 posts | I would have to agree with Dirty on the excessive oiling up of gloves makes them so heavy you can’t lug them around the field and how quickly they break in is a sign of inferior leather for certain. I know some guys get very impatient with the breaking in of a quality fielder"s glove, but it’s worth the wait as far as longevity. I really do like Nokano but have never owned one personally. Just had a few on my hand and felt good. Even the one that was opposite hand for me also felt good, so go figure! I use a Vinci Pro 14 ½ inch fielders glove. Go to my web site to view them and for good deals from my local Vinci Pro rep. Understand that I get nothing for advertising on my web site other than a small discount once in a Blue Moon on price. I like a no remuneration policy and just promoting senior softball and good deals for our seniors gives me a thrill! (If that makes me philanthropic or an eleemosynary that so be it) LOL link: http://bashbro1nwseniorsoftball.com/id121.html/ bashbro1 (Dave are you going to remove my thread?) |
| Nov. 20, 2008 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Gosh, Bash you sent me right to the dictionary. Eleemosynary? Hell of a word. Thanks. Slummin' again, eh? How's the rarified air in the Northwest? Say hi to Tom and the Crusher for me. And tell those Barista girls to come and visit me when they get to SF. |
| Nov. 20, 2008 AlleninGa Men's 60 113 posts | Thanks Nancy, I've been wondering what to get Debra for Christmas. She's been great, so she deserves the best. I might even spring for a new Senior Combat to boot. You posters have exceeded my expectations on feed back. With all of the GOOD products onthe market these days, it's sometimes difficult to decide. I'm only 60, so with 15+ years left to play I might as well get a really good glove. I believe the best glove I ever had was a Wilson A2000. I bought a new one a few years back but sold because it was 11.75". Thanks again |
| Nov. 20, 2008 ShaneV Men's 55 393 posts | I was sick when I lost my A2000! I had to grab a cheap Mizuno on my way to the park the following week. Zero breakin. Floppy old Mizuno has been a good glove for a few years. I have a new Miken NRG and it seems impossible to break in. Guess that means it's going to last! This community has so much knowledge! Great thread! |
| Nov. 21, 2008 JohnBob Men's 65 256 posts | Allen, if you pitch you don't need a new glove,just kidding couldn't resist. |
| Nov. 21, 2008 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | I used a 14.5 inch Vinci untill last year when SPA changed their rule on the maximum size of gloves. It's a very good glove and Allen, Pete Vinci is a big supporter of CST. He used to attend. |
| Nov. 21, 2008 AlleninGa Men's 60 113 posts | Bruce, I remember that glove, it was massive, but you controlled it well. I didn't realize it was a Vinci. I will definitely check them out before I make my choice. I would be interested in opinions on preferences between a 12.5"/12.75 and a 13"/13.5 glove. Do you feel the shorter glove holds shape better over time? |
| Nov. 21, 2008 Hacker Men's 75 52 posts | Allen, My opinion on glove size/weight is primarily based on your field position. You mentioned that you’re interested in an infielder’s glove. I would recommend a 12.5 – 13.0 for infield. I would consider the weight of the glove, especially if you’re a pitcher (or third base) I would opt for a lighter glove because the line-drive reaction time is minimal at those positions and you have very little time to put your glove in position to make a play. If you prefer that a glove should “swallow” a ball (like first base or catcher), then go with a larger size, weight is not as much of a factor. Middle infielders tend like a medium or smaller glove which is easier to maneuver and is ideal for a quick ball/hand exchange. All size gloves can lose their shape and become “floppy”, this occurs because their laces have become old and worn…re-lace your old glove with fresh firm lacing and you’ll be surprised how rejuvenated it looks and feels. Good luck choosing a glove! |
| March 15, 2009 Jimmy#7 12 posts | Nancy,Good AM-Tell the truth-You were making Bill some mufffin's and it came out HARD--and LOOKED LIKE A 1st baseman's mitt.See you in Metro April 11.Jimmy |
| March 18, 2009 Fair123 4 posts | AlleninGa - Nokona also has a series of gloves made from Buffalo hide. I got one straight from Nokona last Fri (March 13th), applied the glove treatment they sent with the glove (simple petroleum jelly), worked on it every night (on my couch), and am using it tonight for a double header. It's not completely broken-in but...one of the best gloves ever made (and quite a confidence builder). My only fear is that someone who sees me with it...will want it bad enough to steal! It's an AMG 600-BF-CW. Totally Awesome!! Fair123 |
| March 19, 2009 doker Men's 60 185 posts | HEY ALLENINGA......THE BEST AND NEWEST GLOVE OUT THERE IS THE MIKEN EPS140GB A 14" GLOVE THAT IS READY TO USE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY....JUST PLAY CATCH WITH IT A FEW TIMES AND IT BREAKS ITSELF IN...SOFT LEATHER AND LIGHT...I'VE HAD MINE FOR TWO YEARS NOW AND IT'S STILL AWESOME...GET IT OFF THE MIKEN SITE OR FROM CORKY WHEN HIS TRAILER IS AT A TOURNEY...JUST A SUGESTION...DOKER...AUSTIN LONESTARS 60'S |
| March 19, 2009 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | Allen, I also have a Miken glove. Like Doker said, needs very little break-in. I'll show it to you Tuesday night. |
| March 19, 2009 ikantride55 Men's 50 5 posts | I agree with AlleninGa. The best glove that i have ever owned is the Wilson A2000. I still have it,and use it. I bought it over 30 yrs. I just recently bought a 14' Easton. Haven't had the chance to play it in a game yet, want to break it in first. Ken |
