I recently decided that I don't have nearly enough umpire gear, so I purchased a Honig’s K4 Pro Line Mask Frame. I purchased just a navy mask frame, dropped in a set of Rawlings Leather Replacement Pads (DOEP), and also purchased a matching navy harness from Honig’s. I plan to use this mask during special high school events when I wear a navy shirt.
MeasurementsThe Honig’s K4 Pro Line Mask Frame is made of hollow core steel. Like other recently introduced masks, the K4 uses a flat bar design around the eye opening to improve visibility. It measures 3.75” on the low-profile test (the same measurement as the standard profile Wilson Titanium WTA3009BLTI). The K4 measures 9” across and 10.75” from top to chin bottom, not including the cap guard or throat guard. A 1” cap guard protects your head and a 1.75” throat guard is angled from the mask to protect your throat from foul balls and bad pitching / worse catching. The K4 weighs 18 ounces according to my postage scale. That is 6 ounces heavier than the Diamond iX3 DFM-UMP insilver.
With the heavy Rawlings DOEP pads, my rig weighs 29 ounces, just under two pounds. My “everyday mask,” the Champro Pro-Plus Magnesium Umpire Mask (CM58) with Wilson a3009x replacement pads, is 16.5 ounces.
Where to Buy
The Honig’s K4 Pro Line Mask Frame is offered exclusively through Honig’s for $39.95 (without pads). Other Pro Line Masks are available from Honig’s with a variety of mask pad options.
Fair or Foul
Much like Shoeless Joe Jackson who named his bat “BlackBetsy,” or Private Pyle in Full Metal Jacket who named his gun “Charlene,” I have named my Honig’s K4 Pro Line Mask with Rawlings DOEP pads my “Blue Plate Special.”Yes, it is heavy.
Yes, it is blue.
Yes, it is totally awesome and deserves a cool name.
The Honig’s K4 Pro Line Mask Frame itself is a pretty average mask frame. Tubular steel is time-tested and will perform adequately. A Honig’s K4 frame (18 ounces) and Team Wendy’s pads (5 ounces) makes a total mask weight of 23 ounces, the same as a Wilson standard profile titanium. A mask weight under 23 ounces is not bad, but its not great either. I call the Honig’s K4 Pro Line Mask Frame FAIR, especially since it is offered in black, navy, or silver, but I wish it was lighter.
4 comments:
shoot...u had to pay for it....no freebie....so very average mask according to ur fair remarks...sure its heavy with those rawlings pads.....i have same mask with all star pads and mine weighs 21 ounces...should ask kirk if he has any freebies of honigs products and maybe dick honigs products will get good endorsement from u...other than they poly pants ...what the hell do honigs know anyway...only been in business around 25 years...only sold more official equipment than anybody else...only here u see negative remarks about honigs and the big kiss for kirk and his freebies...thanks for another bias review
If Pete's reviews are so terrible and biased, why do you continue to come here and read them?
Go start your own blog and publish your own reviews.
Kai Burk
Dear Anonymous:
Pete doesn't need me to wave his banner but, if you think that you can do a better job climb into the ring and take a swing. Until you do, you are just another gutless heckler standing on the other side of the chain link fence. I have been around your type before. I hear your voice but your lips never seem to move. Good day to you.
WOW. YOU GUYS GET EXCITED OVER SOME OF THIS REVIEWS. EVERYONE HAS THEIR RIGHT TO LEAVE AN OPION JUST AS PETE DOES. AND ITS FUNNY THE TOUGH GUY CALLING SOMEONE GUTLESS IS ALSO HIDING BEHIND HIS SCREEN SAYING REMARKS OF BEING GUTLESS. LET ANYONE MAKE A COMMENT. AS LONG ITS NOT DEREAGORY OR SAYING BAD THINGS IN VULGAR, SHOULD BE PERMITTED. PETE HAS HIS OWN BIAS AS DOES EVERYONE. HAPPY UMPING TO ALL THE GUYS AND GALS. AND ALSO REMEMEBER, WHEN IT DOUBT CALL EM OUT . LOLOL
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