Nokonas

[WMD_172]

What is it about Nokonas do you guys like so much? Its just wierd bc they have such a different feel from the other top manufacturers.

[softball66]

To paraphrase Tom Hanks' character in "Sleepless in Seattle" when asked about his beloved wife. . ."how much time have you got?"

[NokonaFan]

good designs, good materials, good price, made in america?

Actually, I only like their gloves in the Am Pro line. And anything with buffalo leather in the palm can take a flying leap

I finally got that buffalo glove away from my son (a pop-up at short actually folded the fingers back and he dropped the ball -- at that point I'd had enough of that thing so now he's collecting autographs on it) but I let him chose the replacement glove and it was an A2000

[WMD_172]

i got alot of time!

[Bubdoggy]

I've told this story to Joe (softball66) before but one of the big reasons I like them is they're a small town operation that's still trying to make it in the US, employing locals for the long term.

Growing up here in SC and having worked with the textile and furniture industries in the upstates of NC and SC, I saw many people and towns lose out when the work went offshore. In the furniture industry especially, you see true craftsmen (and women) who worked their entire lives in the industry only to see it go away as they neared retirement. (Although now it is starting to see a revival because transportation costs from China are offsetting the cheap labor costs, a furniture firm in Lenoir, NC is getting ready to rehire 100 people).

I know Nokona has started importing the Team Nokonas and NOKs from China trying to compete in the lower end market but I still like the Made In USA labels on the AM Pros.

I know the Rawlings and Wilsons make a higher level glove for true gamers and I really enjoy Docgloves' discussions and insight because he still reflects the master craftsmanship we use to see in many industries. I told my 11 year old son about him and showed him some of the things that he's written on the gloves and their background/origins. The younger boys need to have a sense of the origins of the game and how much fun it is and not just be "academy" players (in the words of Greg Maddux).

Also, it's kind of interesting to see the different types of leather. You'll see Joe's discussion of the BM-76 I picked up having the banana tan leather. I'd like to have a buffalo combo someday just to play catch. The lefty CM225 catchers mitt I have has a great feeling gusher leather that I think is similar to the HOH. I have a saddle tan N60 base mitt that has the softest leather. Are they for hardcore gamers? I don't know but they make a mid 40's guy happy.

Kind of quirky but somewhat unique. You catch a glimpse of the way baseball used to be when the regional (or milltown) teams produced many big leaguers who literally came off the farm and were the pride of their towns. I still see some of that in the Nokona label.

Oh well, enough waxing philosophical. My boy loves his AMG175 and his AMGFB. They hold up well in USSSA play right now. When he gets to the bigs, I'll get him to have docglove make me a custom southpaw glove.

[wjr953]

Solid, top-quality leather, well-made, great -looking gloves and on top of all that, MADE IN THE U.S.A. I have several other gloves, Rawlings HOH Trap-Eze (in oxblood), Akadema AXX21 Trap-Eze (Reptilian Series, in black), Rawlings Gold Glove Trap-Eze (in black), in addition to my Nokona AMG650CW (in Walnut grain). If the weather is decent, the first glove that I always take out is my Nokona. I slip it on and the leather molds to my hand and it feels like it's part of me. The smell of that leather, the solid quality, it feels substantial on your hand, it looks beautiful, and it catches like a dream. Top of the line American workmanship, at it's best. I get lots and lot s of compliments on it. What's not to like? The only negative side is that whenever I have it out, I have to watch it like a hawk or someone is sure to walk away with it. As a side note, this glove was given to me by my wife as a gift on our 1st Christmas together after we were married. I had always wanted one but I absolutely gagged every time I looked at the price, I just couldn't see paying that much for a baseball glove. She surprised me with it and I was absolutely speechless. That's a day that I'll never forget. I guess that says it all for me.

br - (Proud Nokona Glove Owner)

[wickedwoman11]

Actually, I only like their gloves in the Am Pro line. And anything with buffalo leather in the palm can take a flying leap

Hey! I love my Nokona buffalo. Although if I can blame some of my errors on the glove instead of my poor fielding ability, perhaps I should. No, I just can't do it. I love that glove too much.

[GloveGypsy]

I own a few of the Nokona models in Bison (Buffalo) hide. The leather is beautiful and although I am tempted, I don't use them. They stay in thier original canvas-mesh bag in unused condition.

My favorite Nokona is the 175 model with the full perimeter lacing. I will take a few photos and post them tonight.

Nokona has some unique designs, and that is both an attribute and a concern. I am traditional and like my ball gloves to look like ball gloves.
Some of the Nokona designs have been unusual.

[MVALZ]

Still getting deserved props.....

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/sports/baseball/27mitt.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=nocona&st=cse&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

[rmiller]

Great read. I've never been a Nokona guy, but the article makes me want to order one to support a great American company that has truly done amazing things. What a story-Thanks for sharing.

[softball66]

Glover Joe Dolan just called me to say he'd run across this neat story on Nocona in Sundays New York Times, too. So the word is getting out. Please check out the article.
Couldn't happen to nicer folks.

[space50]

I have had several Nokonas over the years and currently have an AMG 175. I love the concept of Nokonas being made in Texas in the good old USA and they look beautiful but I've got to say I'm always a bit disappointed with them. They always seem soft, floppy, and ill formed. The pockets usually have weird folds and the break never seems right. I guess the main thing is they just feel too soft.

[softball66]

The Dallas Morning News has also just run a story on the Nocona glove factory:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... 62491.html

Last poster mentioned the gloves being too floppy. I've never had this happen with a Nocona cowhide or being ill formed. The Kangaroo gloves do tend to get that way and the company started combining cowhide and Kangaroo hides to stiffen them up, good idea. I've been playing with an AMG400K Kangy since 1990 and it's served me well (three defensive awards in National Softball tournaments). Nocona has historically used softer leather but all the gloves are hand lasted for pockets so don't know about the ill formed part of the gloves.

[space50]

Don't get me wrong, I hope Nokona is around another hundred years. Which Nokona model and leather would you say has the most structure (stiffness)? Do they have anything that has as much stiffness when new as say a Rawlings HOH or Pro Pref? Are there any pros using Nokona these days? Not that I base my glove purchases on that, I have a Primo for gosh sakes.

[candlestick]

Received the new Nokona 2009 catalogue over the weekend and it seems that they are trying to address some of the concerns that space50 brings up in his thread.

There is increased distinction between the American Classic line (primarily softball patterns) and the American Pro line (baseball patterns) throughout the catalogue. This includes a few new leather lines, Kimera, which is a oil treated Horween leather on the face and kangaroo on the back, as opposed to the traditional Buckaroo which is now reserved for the softball line. Also a new black leather for the baseball patterns, and a pocket redesign for the closed web versions. Instead of being a lace through the pocket material the laces now run through narrow loops or tunnels at the edge of the pocket, similar to Rawlings. The sandstone leather from 2008, which some members on this forum indicated is stiffer than anything Nokona has put out in awhile (I have not seen/felt this yet) is retained in the American Pro line but only in combination with their buckskin leather. Not a lot of detail here I am just trying to recall what I read and saw.

There is of course, an new premium leather called Bloodline (with a very gothic B on the back of the wrist). Appears to be a similar color to the Rawlings Primo line.

Additionally, they have a number of major leaguers throughout the catalogue, and although most appear to be endorsing the bats, there are two that are pictured with Nokona gloves in hand.

From my perspective they are trying to use stiffer leathers and build up the strength of their designs. They are courting major leaguers as endorsers. Are they going to rival Rawlings, or Wilson? Or even Mizuno or TPX? I doubt it. It resembles the Mac vs. PC argument - the little company that could. I hope they have the capital to pull it off.