Nokonas

[BuffaloGlover]

I absolutely love Nokona gloves, the people, and the company. Didn't know about them until 1999 when I saw them at Galyans and bought my son a AMG 175W. The next spring I bought my AMG 650BF which I have used as my gamer til this day. Their customer service is exceptional. My son has a CM 225BF catcher's mitt, and only had it for 2 months when in a high school game a runner slid into him at home plate and tore a gash into the palm of the mitt with his spike. I called Nokona, explained the situation to them and asked for an estimate to fix the mitt and install additional padding in the palm. I received it back about 2 weeks later, with the new padding, and a whole new palm installed. When I called them to ask them what the charges were, they told me there none, and thanked me for my business. Wow, I was blown away to say the least. Both my sons and my daughter subsequently used Nokonas, and my new son-in-law is about to purchase his first. I have several dozen Nokonas in my collection will support them as much as I can. I know some of you have had problems with the Buffalo leather and the ball slipping out, but after several passes of conditioner, I have not had the problem. When I drop the ball, it's seems to always be operator error


Here is a video about the company and the fire. The fact that nobody lost their jobs or even a paycheck is a testament to why this great American company is still around, hopefully will be for generations to come.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB6mhHiU ... re=related

I wish they would bring back the Gusher leather, as this was the stiffest leather they had, and most similar to HOH in my opinion. Their older Buckskin was exceptionally thick, had a suede-like feel, and made for a heavy glove. The newer formulation is much different.

Here is a pic of my gamer. Needs a cleaning, but wanted to get a pic up.




Here is my son's AMG1275BF-MT which he uses in the outfield for softball. Hasn't dropped one.........yet.



I think because of the wider palms of this model, it is better suited for softball than baseball.

Just happened upon the new Kimera series before seeing this thread, and I am very excited. With the inclusion of Horween, these gloves should appeal to a much larger audience. I am very excited to see these and am currently plotting on how to justify one of these to the wife.

Here is where I saw the Kimera series.

http://www.justballgloves.com/default.a ... imera&pg=0

Sorry for the long ramble, but I kinda like em' !

[wickedwoman11]

To be honest, I am sort of sorry I bought my Rawlings. I love my Nokona buffalo glove more than any other possession I have. In a fire, after my cats are out of the house, that is what I grab. (Photo albums and my laptop are a close second and third). I am so crazy about that glove that I take it on trips with me, even when I know I'm not playing softball. There is something very soothing to me about tossing a ball in the air, and catching it with that glove. I don't know if it is how soft the leather feels, or whether it is just because it fits only me, but I would cry if I lost that glove.

I can also speak to their customer service. Years ago, I emailed and asked what type of glove laces they recommend for relacing the buffalo, and about a week later, they sent me a bunch of laces free of charge. I also wrote to them back in January asking for a new catalog and they told me they were out. I thought they forgot about me, but about a week ago, I opened up the mailbox and had a brand new catalog filled with the Bloodline, Kimera and other new gloves for me to moon over. Plus, when I was in Texas a couple of years ago, they took me on a tour of the factory, loaded me up with free goodies and were so sweet.

Nokona is the best. I should have held out for a Black Shadow or Kimera backup glove. Hmm, might have to sell my Rawlings on Ebay and wait to save up the money for a new Nokona.

[Cowboy7130]

First, a confession: I don't own a Nokona.
Second, a promise to myself: I have a new position and a promotion, and for Christmas I am getting myself a Nokona! Dang it, I am a Texan, and here I am without a glove from the hometown boys?!?!? Disgraceful ... Joe may stop speaking to me ....

A quick story - Back in the early spring there was a sports and fitness exposition staged in my town. The Nokona Glovemobile came to town, unbeknownst to me. My girlfriend's daughter's softball league had signups there, and so she took her to the site and saw the Nokona display and thought about me. However, she did not call me!!!!
Later in the evening, she mentioned it, and I almost cried.

Every person I have ever spoken to who owns a Nokona raves about it. Several of my players have Nokonas and swear by them.

[vintagebrett]

I know we had discussed MLB players using Nokonas awhile back - I've noticked Joakim Soria, the KC Royals All-Star closer, is using one. Here is a picture:



My brother also mentioned that you can see him with it on his baseball card in the 2008 Series 2 set. When he brings one over, I'll scan it in and post it.

[fuzzydogg22]

nice catch brett!

[BuffaloGlover]

While watching the Cub/Cardinal game today, I noticed Ryan Franklin is using one also. The floodgates are open now

[ser182]

i just purchased a AMG-175 KCW. Man it is awsome. The quality is amazing. I received the glove and used it the same day. Still needs to be broken it but man does it feel good and look great. i use this one to play second base. I just picked up a AMG-600 BFC. I have not received it yet but I cant wait to see it. I will use this one to play out field. i bought my son his first nokona this year that he uses for tee ball. he loves it. you have i can't wait to see the new Kimera with the horween leather. I wonder what type of leather is used on the blood line series. why arn't they on the web site yet?

[Cowboy7130]

No screen grabs of it, yet, that I can find, but one of the pitchers for Canada in the Little League World Series today was wearing a Nokona.

[Goldy the Gopher]

www.ballgloves.com

I don't know anything about nokonas but as I cruised through the nokona collection on mortons I spotted their new high end.

[wickedwoman11]

I wonder what type of leather is used on the blood line series. why arn't they on the web site yet?

According to the 2009 catalog, "Nokona is using our proprietary Prime Leather as the basis for the Bloodline series. The unique tanning gives the Bloodline the sturdiness top baseball players demand and the comfort they deserve. Years of work with a vast array of leathers has allowed us to develop gloves for each position on the field. From supple soft leathers in the outfield to sturdy dense leathers for our catcher's mitts, each glove has its own unique quality for play. We have added Radial Piping to the fingers and thumb to ensure top form in each glove. Using palm lamination and breathable finger stalls, this will be the best fit you will ever have in a glove."

And they are available at Ballglove Warehouse http://www.ballglovewarehouse.com/defau ... 8&pg=0&l=3 for about $260.

[RedSoxFan81]

Can someone familiar with Nokonas tell me the difference between the Buffalo / walnut/ sandstone models? Is a certain model softer than the other? Some people seem to really like the buffalo gloves? Are they really soft? A guy I play softball has an 11.5 " modified trap, but I didn't get a chance to check if it was the buffalo model or a different one.

[wickedwoman11]

Can someone familiar with Nokonas tell me the difference between the Buffalo / walnut/ sandstone models? Is a certain model softer than the other? Some people seem to really like the buffalo gloves? Are they really soft? A guy I play softball has an 11.5 " modified trap, but I didn't get a chance to check if it was the buffalo model or a different one.

I have a buffalo that I love. It is soft, but I prefer my glove that way. I play softball with it, and while it isn't floppy, it certainly isn't very stiff. I want a glove that will fold around the ball when caught, not bounce out. Admittedly though I don't play a lot of middle infield. For ground balls, maybe you want something stiff -- that is the preference of some people.

As for the texture of the leather, it is like butter. Very soft and supple. I've had kangaroo and buffalo Nokonas, and loved them both, though my preference is the buffalo. I haven't had a sandstone or walnut...sorry. But I don't think you can go wrong with the buffalo. Hope that helps.

[MVALZ]

I've always been a fan of the AMG 500. They stopped making this 12.5" pattern a couple years ago and they're getting tougher to find. This beauty arrived today...very pleased

[Mike_2007]

Are the Bloodline gloves heavy? Anyone try one out?

[DT]

Can someone familiar with Nokonas tell me the difference between the Buffalo / walnut/ sandstone models?

Buffalo is the softest you mentioned, then walnut, with sandstone being the stiffest of the three.

About 2-3 years ago, I called Nokona and they told me Walnut was the stiffest leather they sold (they hadn't introduced sandstone yet). So I bought a couple of those. I love the gloves, but after 2 years of hard play, they are getting a little too floppy for me. Some people like gloves that way, but I like a soft pocket and stiff fingers. Otherwise, for me, the glove loses it's 'feel'.

I'd like to try the sandstone and see if that solves the problem, but I'm waiting to see what other people think of it first. But I do love the company, what they stand for and what they're trying to do.