Bought this vintage glove for my brother - need your advice

[wolterse]

I got this glove for my brother. Any sense on its age? My brother would like to 'gently' toss a ball around with it. Any suggestions on how to care for it?

Thanks for your advice. Erich

[vintagebrett]

The web design looks like the lower line gloves the OK MFG Co. from Ada, Ohio was putting out in the late 1930's and early 1940's - I have two different models that look similar and have the same hole punches in the webbing.

[Leon]

Depending on the valuation (if it's low) and want to help the glove you might try mink oil. I use it on my new gloves and it works like a charm. I don't know how it does on a 70 yr old glove though.

[wolterse]

Thanks Brett and Leon!

[Baseball Glove Collector]

Leon, sorry but I gotta disagree with you man. Mink oil is the kiss of death. Many of the crispy gloves and mitts we see today were mink oiled many years ago only nobody knew it at the time. The good thing is that it takes many years to dry a glove out and turn crispy. It would also really darken the glove and take forever to dry out. A general rule is not to put anything on a glove you wouldn't use on your own skin. That's why many glove collectors use Vaseline, Lanolin or other milder conditioners. Lower quality leather like that usually responds well to something like Lexol. Hope this helps.

JD

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Baseball Glove Collector

Leon, sorry but I gotta disagree with you man. Mink oil is the kiss of death. Many of the crispy gloves and mitts we see today were mink oiled many years ago only nobody knew it at the time. The good thing is that it takes many years to dry a glove out and turn crispy. It would also really darken the glove and take forever to dry out. A general rule is not to put anything on a glove you wouldn't use on your own skin. That's why many glove collectors use Vaseline, Lanolin or other milder conditioners. Lower quality leather like that usually responds well to something like Lexol. Hope this helps.

JD

Jim- you might be right. I have only been doing it, still currently, for 42 yrs, since I was 6.....never had a problem so far but give it another 30-50yrs and I probably will.....thanks for the help....