Vintage Baseball Glove Forum

Just wanted to know what others thought on this topic (I hope it wasn't one): How do you guys feel about gloves that have been professionally relined? Are you more likely to pick them up for your collection or let them pass?

I personally think that the Glove Doc/others that repair them do GREAT work. The craftsmenship is super and the gloves have a great feel. Many of them are matched so well you can't tell. I however, when purchasing gloves, would probably pass on a relined glove unless it was a hard-to-find model or a tough endorser. I probably would do the same if I had to get one repaired as well (It had to be a hard-to-find model or tough endorser).
Any thoughts?

I currently have 2 at Pastime Preservations being totally reconditioned.I too would rather have an original but these were fairly rare.One is a Heine Manush endorsed Honus Wagner Co. BB,SF and the other is a Kel Wel Lee Grissom Dazzy Vance style.Both gloves had great shells but the linings were totally shot.I don't trade or sell much so they'll be for display purposes only.I just got tired of seeing them sit around in poor condition so I thought I'd give it a shot.I was given a personel guarantee of satisfaction.I'll let you know when I get them back.I've seen some vintage gloves that were relined and looked totally unatural.I addressed this with John at Pastime thus the guarantee.Hope they look great.

Man, that is a tough one. I had a D&M 1 inch web relined years ago by the GloveDoc and was really pleased with the look and workmanship when it came back. The old liner was completely trashed and I wanted to play some easy catch with it (all the markings were long gone but the outer leather was still supple) so replacement was the only option. Only disappointment was losing that old time floppiness; the new liner definitely is stiff. Recently had a Colavito RC relined by Kenny Jenkins with super results also. I guess the downside is that I doubt if I would break even on either glove if I resold them (I don't plan to, but who knows?) But, cost effective or not, I would buy a relined glove or have one done if I wanted it badly enough. If I ever do find a Rawlings RR, though I hope the liner is decent!

When I'm deciding on getting re-lining done, I appraise the cost vs. the eventual sale if that's in the plan my plan for the glove.
I've had the GloveDoc do a dozen or so gloves for me with excellent results. I've used Kenny J. a couple of times and he did masterful work.
With later end Nokonas I go to the factory for the job and they're also excellent.
I would recommend any of the above.

For my collection, I prefer nice smooth linings, but as we well know when finding a glove you've wanted, the condition of the lining is secondary. On vintage gloves, I've always been reluctant to have them re-lined...giving that newer appearance to an older glove. But I recently picked a glove on my want listwithout a lining. My preference is to re-line this with an older lining. Has anyone had this done & if so where can I find this magician. I have a glove where I wouldn't mind removing the lining and trying to use this piece for my newer find.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
thanks

I agree with all that's been said above - I've seen some that turn out really great and some that don't look natural. If it's a glove you plan on keeping and want the work done, I say go ahead. If it's one that you plan to get rid of, I would say don't do it.

Just curious how much does it usually cost to get a glove relined? Who offers the best deal out of the choices, or are they all close in price?

Here are the Sports Doctor's prices - he's been doing it for long time:

http://www.thesportsdoctor.com/Pastime% ... tions.html

A few years ago I had the Glove Doctor refurbish my Dad's 1940's 1st baseman's mitt. It wasn't cheap but I was happy with the result and you should have seen my Dad's face when he saw it.

Thanks to Ricky on a very interesting subject. I have to agree with Deacon about using vintage linings. I dont like new liners on old gloves. It just doesn't look right. I have used good linings from beat up gloves and installed it in a glove. Heres a glove that I had just cleaned and relined not too long ago. I am not a magician, however I do enjoy restoring my own gloves.
[/img] Before
[/img] After

Joel-

That is a great job man!!! Did you replace the patch as well? I couldn't tell if the original one was torn or had maybe just come unsewn.

Great job on your restoration. I just sent my un-lined glove off to a forum member and hopefully will achieve similar results.
Thanks for posting the photos.

Thanks for the nice compliments. Deacon, please post pictures of your glove when you get it back. I'm sure its gonna look great!

Great topic. This is a TTP I've had for a while now, and I have no idea what to do with it- have it refurbished or keep as is.

[img][img]http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn367/rmillergloves/TTP/IMG_1536.jpg[/img][/img]

[img][img]http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn367/rmillergloves/TTP/IMG_1537.jpg[/img][/img]

I'm probably not the most objective person on this subject because I've always been a lining nut -- so much so, that I've had some people talk me out of some great gloves over the years because of relatively minor lining flaws. I really don't miss any of them.

With that said, I would much prefer a relined using an old lining from a similar glove than a relined one using new leather. There are people who do great work with new leather but I just can't seem to warm up to them.

Another question is should a repiped or relined glove be described in an auction sale and I say absolutely. Ironically I don't feel the ame about relaced as long as it looks original.