Simmer17
Addicted to Softballfans
Agree to disagree...
How to break in your glove
- Thread starter DSNuts48
- Start date
Agree to disagree...
MrNixter
Addicted to Softballfans
Your not the first person I've heard to use the shaving cream, maybe there is something to it, maybe not, but I would definatly not dunk the glove for a few hours in cold water to stiffen it up, that I hope we can agree on
Simmer17
Addicted to Softballfans
Your not the first person I've heard to use the shaving cream, maybe there is something to it, maybe not, but I would definatly not dunk the glove for a few hours in cold water to stiffen it up, that I hope we can agree on
Yea, I couldnt believe their glove guy suggested that. Ill send my glove to one of the board bros to take care of if I cant sell it and buy a new one lol.
MrNixter
Addicted to Softballfans
If you want someone to bring your glove back to life thats on the board, send it to Dirty30, have him do a good relace and condition, you will thank me later!
Simmer17
Addicted to Softballfans
Yea, hes who I bought the glove from late last season. I dont know if its worth another $60 or so after I already paid $135...
MrNixter
Addicted to Softballfans
If you love the glove, its worth it!!!
If you get a new glove, follow what DSNuts48 has said, follow the manufacturers recommendations!!
phatmanswingin
Phat Member
He's a Japanese man. JS
DSNuts48
Badass
Don't sweat it, just properly condition tonight. Then get back at it. No sense worrying over spilled milk.
gregnash
Addicted to Softballfans
Great write-up. This is basically the method that I use but I use a 5# mallet with the head wrapped in painters tape. Beat the hell out of the glove for a few minutes first, then condition the crap out of it and leave for about 24hrs (depending if I have time to play with it the next day). Then go through the process of beating the hell out of it. This year I am looking forward to using one of EdgenMar's 7oz endloaded ball mallets! Hoping to have the glove in a couple weeks from Diaz and then have broken and playing within a week or so after that.
A lot of guys I know are using rice cookers to steam there gloves how exactly I'm not sure but check out this link
http://www.***********.com/custserv/content.jsp?cmsName=Glove_Steaming_Service
Website is baseball express they do glove steaming
http://www.***********.com/custserv/content.jsp?cmsName=Glove_Steaming_Service
Website is baseball express they do glove steaming
niteshadow
Addicted to Softballfans
Quick question. How often do you condition once broken in? I've heard everything from never, all the way to once a week. I recently purchased a Vinci and just want to make sure i dont overdo anything.
bmurph
Addicted to Softballfans
i usually go monthly but you could certainly make a case to condition more often. i always condition after long dry days, if it sat in the hot trunk of my car, or if i use it in the winter. i guess it depends on how often you use your glove but every 2 weeks is probably a good rule if you use it a lot and are looking to keep it in good condition.
DSNuts48
Badass
Sorry for the delay in the bump. Here for more looks
Depends, I play a lot of infield so my glove takes in a lot of dirt. I usually go about once a month depending how often I play. I won't let the conditioner sit for 24hrs, but I will rub conditioner on the glove and let it lift the dirt out and then wipe off.
Depends, I play a lot of infield so my glove takes in a lot of dirt. I usually go about once a month depending how often I play. I won't let the conditioner sit for 24hrs, but I will rub conditioner on the glove and let it lift the dirt out and then wipe off.
Keep it simple guys:
1) Use Hot Glove treatment on it three times in a row.
2) Drive to West Texas, and lay your glove down on I-40
3) Get a motel room and a 12 pack of beer, then go and try to eat the 72 ounce steak in Amarillo
4) After you're done puking the steak and beer, wake up the next morning, pick up your glove off I-40
5) Drive home
1) Use Hot Glove treatment on it three times in a row.
2) Drive to West Texas, and lay your glove down on I-40
3) Get a motel room and a 12 pack of beer, then go and try to eat the 72 ounce steak in Amarillo
4) After you're done puking the steak and beer, wake up the next morning, pick up your glove off I-40
5) Drive home
escort1991
Active Member
Very good advice here. I use the VINCI way to break in gloves on all my gloves.
I use to use lanolin on everything to condition. Once I started looking into the tanning process itself, I stopped using lanolin and went back to the VINCI conditioner on all my new gloves.
I use to use lanolin on everything to condition. Once I started looking into the tanning process itself, I stopped using lanolin and went back to the VINCI conditioner on all my new gloves.
Rous
Addicted to Softballfans
I am much more of a minimalist.
2 tsp of hot water poured into the pocket area, then get my glove hand wet and shake off the excess, put glove on. 2-3 minutes with the mallet.
Once it completely dries, I put a bit of conditioner (Glove Stuff at the moment, but Lexol brown works on a dark colored glove, or Wilson Pro Stock conditioner or Mizuno Strong Oil) on my glove hand and into the pocket/hinge area and work it in.
Lots of catch, couch catch, mallet work. Sometimes wrap a ball in the pocket with an Ace bandage. That's it. I just prefer a mechanical break-in to a chemical one.
I break in thumb to middle finger, so I don't want the heel to turn to mush. No shoe-shine for me.
At the end of the season I'll clean the glove with Lexol orange and then a very light coat of Vaseline (aka, Nokona NLT or Vinci Conditioner).
Only for an older glove where the leather is getting dry will I do an overall conditioning with Glove Stuff (or Wilson Pro Stock Conditioner or Mizuno Strong Oil, or any good conditioner).
No mink oil, Neat's Foot oil, olive oil, butter, or anything else that will soak in, make the glove heavy and cause the leather to break down.
I won't use shave cream because it contains stuff that may or may not be good for leather and there are too many other purpose-built conditioners out there.
2 tsp of hot water poured into the pocket area, then get my glove hand wet and shake off the excess, put glove on. 2-3 minutes with the mallet.
Once it completely dries, I put a bit of conditioner (Glove Stuff at the moment, but Lexol brown works on a dark colored glove, or Wilson Pro Stock conditioner or Mizuno Strong Oil) on my glove hand and into the pocket/hinge area and work it in.
Lots of catch, couch catch, mallet work. Sometimes wrap a ball in the pocket with an Ace bandage. That's it. I just prefer a mechanical break-in to a chemical one.
I break in thumb to middle finger, so I don't want the heel to turn to mush. No shoe-shine for me.
At the end of the season I'll clean the glove with Lexol orange and then a very light coat of Vaseline (aka, Nokona NLT or Vinci Conditioner).
Only for an older glove where the leather is getting dry will I do an overall conditioning with Glove Stuff (or Wilson Pro Stock Conditioner or Mizuno Strong Oil, or any good conditioner).
No mink oil, Neat's Foot oil, olive oil, butter, or anything else that will soak in, make the glove heavy and cause the leather to break down.
I won't use shave cream because it contains stuff that may or may not be good for leather and there are too many other purpose-built conditioners out there.
Sully-7
Addicted to Softballfans
yes i have.... works nice... tightens up the leather a bit then you put ur hand in it and pound either a ball mallet or a ball in the pocket repeatedly... i used the whole Aso method and will use it again when I get my customer PRO504 from Rawlings in a few weeks
nutmegs
IDGAFOS
I'm here with you. I would never use the aso method unless I wanted a floppy glove. Catch, mallet, couch work only after it's been in the oven and I've created the breakin points myself.
The aso method is right up there with running a glove over with a car imo
KannonsDad
**** you
Yeah, why listen to Aso? He's only one of the greatest glovesmiths of all time.
GloveJunky
The Rookie
I don't think people really understand the exact purpose of Aso's method. It's aimed at getting a new pro-level (super stiff) glove game ready RIGHT NOW. It's not meant to protect the longevity of the glove. That doesn't make it right or wrong, you just need to understand why he's doing what he does. If you need your brand new Vinvi/pro preferred/A2000/Nokona ready for tomorrow's game, then use his method. If you want the glove to last you 5 to 10 seasons, tweak it as necessary or abandon it entirely.
A Cy 617
Dad, Fire fighter, bat flipper.
The method to my madness :
The way I wear my glove is 2 in the pinky. So this whole thing follows using the glove that way.
First I put my hand in the glove, and I feel around for any adjustments I may need to make. If I need to loosen the thumb or pinky strap, I do it first thing. I then figure out how I want my glove shaped. Outfield gloves I like the finger stalls with minimal bend/shape and the pocket really deep. Infielders gloves I like the thumb and pinky flared out, and the other finger stalls bowled in with a deep pocket as well.
I understand everyone has their own personal beliefs, but I think the shoe shine method is complete horse ****. Never is it productive to break in a glove without your hand in it.
After adjusting my glove to fit my hand and figuring out the shape I want to achieve, I attack certain areas. TO ME PERSONALLY SHAPE IS MORE IMPORTANT THEN "BREAKING IN THE GLOVE." Shape is most important..
I first put glove oil on my glove wearing hand, finger tips and thumb and put on the glove. I leave my hand in the glove while I form my shape. I take my ball mallet and drill the finger stalls first, then the pocket. Everytime i strike the mitt, I attempt to close the glove. After every 10 - 15 strikes, I reshape the glove to my liking. I never once hit the heel of my glove, I want to keep that stiff and firm.
After doing this for 15-20 mins, I'm usually sweating, and need a break. So I put the mallet down and just work on shaping the glove with my hand for another 15 minutes. I never once take my hand out of the glove!
After that process, I put a ball in the mitt and lay it on its side. I never use bands to close my glove, I don't want that glove to get used to closing unless my hand does it. I repeat this method (minus the glove oil on the hand) every day until I can close the glove with some decent confidence.
Then I go play catch, and in between every throw, I'm shaping the glove to my liking. Forcing it back to the way I need it to be shaped. Usually after 7 hours total of mallet/shape work and 4-5 catch sessions my glove is almost game ready..
I never put oil or any conditioners on the fingers of my glove, I want them to remain as stiff as possible the entire life of the glove. I never oil the palm, or anywhere other then the inside of my mitt to form to MY hand.
Last piece of advice, if your glove needs conditioning, or cleaning. Send it to someone like dirty30 who can clean your glove properly. It's money well spent, I promise.
Anthony.
The way I wear my glove is 2 in the pinky. So this whole thing follows using the glove that way.
First I put my hand in the glove, and I feel around for any adjustments I may need to make. If I need to loosen the thumb or pinky strap, I do it first thing. I then figure out how I want my glove shaped. Outfield gloves I like the finger stalls with minimal bend/shape and the pocket really deep. Infielders gloves I like the thumb and pinky flared out, and the other finger stalls bowled in with a deep pocket as well.
I understand everyone has their own personal beliefs, but I think the shoe shine method is complete horse ****. Never is it productive to break in a glove without your hand in it.
After adjusting my glove to fit my hand and figuring out the shape I want to achieve, I attack certain areas. TO ME PERSONALLY SHAPE IS MORE IMPORTANT THEN "BREAKING IN THE GLOVE." Shape is most important..
I first put glove oil on my glove wearing hand, finger tips and thumb and put on the glove. I leave my hand in the glove while I form my shape. I take my ball mallet and drill the finger stalls first, then the pocket. Everytime i strike the mitt, I attempt to close the glove. After every 10 - 15 strikes, I reshape the glove to my liking. I never once hit the heel of my glove, I want to keep that stiff and firm.
After doing this for 15-20 mins, I'm usually sweating, and need a break. So I put the mallet down and just work on shaping the glove with my hand for another 15 minutes. I never once take my hand out of the glove!
After that process, I put a ball in the mitt and lay it on its side. I never use bands to close my glove, I don't want that glove to get used to closing unless my hand does it. I repeat this method (minus the glove oil on the hand) every day until I can close the glove with some decent confidence.
Then I go play catch, and in between every throw, I'm shaping the glove to my liking. Forcing it back to the way I need it to be shaped. Usually after 7 hours total of mallet/shape work and 4-5 catch sessions my glove is almost game ready..
I never put oil or any conditioners on the fingers of my glove, I want them to remain as stiff as possible the entire life of the glove. I never oil the palm, or anywhere other then the inside of my mitt to form to MY hand.
Last piece of advice, if your glove needs conditioning, or cleaning. Send it to someone like dirty30 who can clean your glove properly. It's money well spent, I promise.
Anthony.
