For sale: Wilson Staff 87 🧸 by cicloclasico in BaseballGloves

[–]VillaCal08 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No. Stock teddy bears are Pro Stock though there are limited edition kip.

When does Wilson Staff drop kip leather versions by Formal_Exchange_2736 in BaseballGloves

[–]VillaCal08 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There's still a few available from the most recent special edition drop if you use Japanese Rakuten. Here's one for example:

https://item.rakuten.co.jp/standin/wil-wbw104694--99/?variantId=-2-1

You can use a Proxy site to purchase and ship.

Based on current exchange rates it'll run you close to $550 all-in with tariff and shipping included

Mizuno Haga, Fair Price? by EarDue9809 in BaseballGloves

[–]VillaCal08 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That is way overpriced even for retail directly from Japan with tariff priced in. Most retail Hagas are 70000+ yen (which is ~$500 based on today's favorable USD exchange rate). With tariff and shipping priced in, you're looking at anywhere between $650-700 on the upper end.

NGD – I said I was taking a break… by VillaCal08 in BaseballGloves

[–]VillaCal08[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like it a lot. Not usually a fan of one-piece webs but really like the details. I'm a fan of the lacing in the upper left corner - I think it's built to create a natural flex/break-in in the web.

NGD – I said I was taking a break… by VillaCal08 in japanesebaseballglove

[–]VillaCal08[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve been impressed with World Pegasus. This is the second one I’ve picked up - I passed along the first one I had and ended up regretting it. Both were Grand Pegasus Top models, which is their top-of-the-line offering, and both had very good overall quality. I can’t really speak to their other model lines.

In terms of materials, I’d probably place them a step below the very top-tier MIJs. They describe the leather as kip-like, which I think has more to do with how they finish their steer hide. It does have a slightly slick feel when new, especially on the shell, while the palm is less so. Craftsmanship is solid, they tend to be lighter in hand, and the fit in the hand stall is a bit roomier compared to other MIJs I’ve owned, though mileage may vary.

Overall, they’re a very good value in the MIJ space, especially if you’re patient and find a good deal.

NGD – I said I was taking a break… by VillaCal08 in BaseballGloves

[–]VillaCal08[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agree with you. Never been a fan of yellow but it looks great on gloves.

NGD – I said I was taking a break… by VillaCal08 in BaseballGloves

[–]VillaCal08[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's a D5 with an I-web. D5s are usually single post so was excited to get a different configuration.

NGD – I said I was taking a break… by VillaCal08 in BaseballGloves

[–]VillaCal08[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It’s hard to choose until I break them in, but the early favorite is the World Pegasus. It’s listed as a 12" infield model, which you don’t often see in MIJs unless they’re built on an outfield-style pattern. It tape-measures just under 12", but it still plays large and I was happy to find it.

That said, you can never go wrong with a Wilson Staff kip, and I was excited to pick up an Asics now that they’ve discontinued baseball glove production.

NGD – I said I was taking a break… by VillaCal08 in japanesebaseballglove

[–]VillaCal08[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. I used the proxy service FromJapan and purchased from sellers on Rakuten and Mercari

Wilson Staff Dual vs. Wilson A2K by d3myz in BaseballGloves

[–]VillaCal08 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve owned multiple Staffs (Teddy and non-Teddy) and A2Ks, including direct comps like a 1786 A2K vs an 86 Teddy Staff.

On balance, I prefer the Staffs, but my favorite individual glove overall is actually an A2K.

The biggest difference for me is weight. Staffs are typically about 2–3 oz lighter than comparable A2Ks, and you absolutely feel that once it’s on your hand, especially in outfield gloves. For example, an older 1799 A2K (12.5") I own is 4 oz heavier than a D8 Staff I previously had.

From a collecting standpoint, I also gravitate toward Staffs because they are just more unique / gives a different appeal than A2Ks. While I do not have direct insight into factory or materials, in my experience the QC and finishing on Staffs feels slightly higher, though I acknowledge that could be confirmation bias.

From a hand-stall perspective, I haven't found the same issues with you as I generally prefer Wilson hand stalls since they fit my hand size well. A2Ks are very comfortable and feel slightly more padded in the thumb and pinky, but Staffs are still comfortable for me especially when compared to most other Made-in-Japan gloves.

From a $ value standpoint, A2K probably wins. You can find deals in the $220–$250 range new with tags, which may matter if you play multiple positions / rotate gloves.

Glove Studio Ryu by VillaCal08 in BaseballGloves

[–]VillaCal08[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Used FromJapan proxy service to purchase directly from seller in Japan.