Gloveman and others,
What is the best way to condition your glove? I always used shaving cream because I didn't like the added weight from oil. Is this OK?
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Do you mean conditioning or breaking in? Either way from my experience saddle soap is best for both. I broke in the Akadema Praying Mantis catcher's mitt in less than 2 weeks this way. And, through close to 75 games, in sand, mud, and rain it is ready for another season this spring!
I am fine on breaking in gloves. My teammates used to have me break in theirs.
I am more concerned with conditioning the leather and keeping it firm.
I am more concerned with conditioning the leather and keeping it firm.
Redbird, shaving cream has lanolin in it. Glove conditioners with lanolin will work as well. I also don't like oil. Oil breaks down the leather, lanolin doesn't.
This subject comes up everytime a poster gets a new glove.
Occaisonally, there has been some misguided information proliferated on this subject by some of the websters...............
The Gloveman straitened them out.
There has also been a couple of very good websites and even a book the other day.
I am wondering if that information should be put into the required reading part of the website, if it hasn't already.
Everytime I see this subject my mind flashes the thought of that $150 WD40 soaked catchers mitt aflame in the oven.........................
Occaisonally, there has been some misguided information proliferated on this subject by some of the websters...............
The Gloveman straitened them out.
There has also been a couple of very good websites and even a book the other day.
I am wondering if that information should be put into the required reading part of the website, if it hasn't already.
Everytime I see this subject my mind flashes the thought of that $150 WD40 soaked catchers mitt aflame in the oven.........................
I have been known from time to time to take some Cornhusker's Lotion in small amounts to my gloves to clean them up after the season. This can be found at a local pharmacy, my wife bought it for my daughter when she was a baby. It's a very light lotion and evaporates rather nicely.
If you use shaving cream, be sure to use the ones with lanolin as bighit stated, but use sparingly cause the soap in the mixture can dry out the leather, just like your face after you shave.
I'd rather watch the Excorsist than vision what you just mentioned!
If you use shaving cream, be sure to use the ones with lanolin as bighit stated, but use sparingly cause the soap in the mixture can dry out the leather, just like your face after you shave.
quote:
Everytime I see this subject my mind flashes the thought of that $150 WD40 soaked catchers mitt aflame in the oven.........................
I'd rather watch the Excorsist than vision what you just mentioned!
Good point Gloveman about shaving cream drying out your glove just like it does your face.
Just sprinkle a little Aqua - Velva after shave on it and it should be fine.
In addition, your glove will smell real nice and you'll be able to find it in the dugout easier.
Just sprinkle a little Aqua - Velva after shave on it and it should be fine.
In addition, your glove will smell real nice and you'll be able to find it in the dugout easier.
But the ladies will steer clear of you until you put your glove in the trunk of your car! 
Even worse, Brut will get you your own corner of the dugout all to yourself.
Even worse, Brut will get you your own corner of the dugout all to yourself.
I was wondering why no one mentioned Mink Oil? I have my players lightly coat their whole gloves once each spring with Mink oil since we practice in the rain etc. We practiced a grand total of 5 times this past year in our gym. Then, we might do the palm portion of the glove one time later in the spring. Again, it is a very light coating. I have always recommended that they make one more light coating before they put their gloves up for the winter. We stress light coat. I've seen some use so much that it makes the glove turn colors. Thoughts on Mink Oil?
I used to live in San Francisco when I was a kid. Summers were cold, damp and foggy and my glove would get soaked from playing with soggy baseballs (not to mention the weighted ball workout I inadvertantly got!) With drying and an aplication of mink oil that glove was as supple as you could imagine. Just like an extension of my hand.
Now I never understood the breaking in process until a friend of mine volunteered to break in my new glove. 3 days later he brought back a perfectly broke in glove.
His secret was to soak the glove in water until saturated. Allow to dry (not in an oven!!!) and apply copious quantities of glove oil. Finished!
I've used this method ever sense without problems.
Rollerman
Glove manufacturers make glove oil for a reason. Its made for gloves. 
Use it and you won't go wrong.
Nokona makes a great g;ove oil and it won't cost anymore than shaving cream with lanolin.
My son used a light coating in the spring every year and he is on season 8 for his Nokona.
Seadog
Use it and you won't go wrong.
Nokona makes a great g;ove oil and it won't cost anymore than shaving cream with lanolin.
My son used a light coating in the spring every year and he is on season 8 for his Nokona.
Seadog
What I have found that works...conditioning your BB glove.
1. Soak the glove completely woth water until the leather appears soaked.
2. Place a ball in the glove and wrap it with rubber bands.
3. Place the glove in the freezer of your refrigerator for 48 hours...or until discoloration from water seems dried.
4. Take the frozen glove with rubber bands in place and let thaw out for several hours until glove is no longer stiff.
5. Remove the rubber bands and the ball. The glove at this point will have a natural pocket, but be somewhat stiff. There after condition the glove by working in very small amounts of petroleum jelly, and don't miss a spot by using very small circular movements until the glove is completely supple.
6. The glove will gradully feel softer, but it will need you to stretch the leather by pushing and pulling the glove, folding the glove up into a ball and opening it up opposite the pocket...as you apply the jelly.
7. When the glove is completely supple, place the ball back in the glove and wrap the glove again with the rubber bands. Place the glove back into the freezer for 24 hours.
8. Remove the glove from the freezer and let thaw.
9. Apply small amounts of petroleum helly and rub-in until the glove is comletely covered. Then take a cheese cloth and begin rubbong the glove until the glove no longer feels slippery.
10. At this point your glove is finished and should have a natural pocket, have a beautiful subtle color and sheen, and be completely soft and supple.
1. Soak the glove completely woth water until the leather appears soaked.
2. Place a ball in the glove and wrap it with rubber bands.
3. Place the glove in the freezer of your refrigerator for 48 hours...or until discoloration from water seems dried.
4. Take the frozen glove with rubber bands in place and let thaw out for several hours until glove is no longer stiff.
5. Remove the rubber bands and the ball. The glove at this point will have a natural pocket, but be somewhat stiff. There after condition the glove by working in very small amounts of petroleum jelly, and don't miss a spot by using very small circular movements until the glove is completely supple.
6. The glove will gradully feel softer, but it will need you to stretch the leather by pushing and pulling the glove, folding the glove up into a ball and opening it up opposite the pocket...as you apply the jelly.
7. When the glove is completely supple, place the ball back in the glove and wrap the glove again with the rubber bands. Place the glove back into the freezer for 24 hours.
8. Remove the glove from the freezer and let thaw.
9. Apply small amounts of petroleum helly and rub-in until the glove is comletely covered. Then take a cheese cloth and begin rubbong the glove until the glove no longer feels slippery.
10. At this point your glove is finished and should have a natural pocket, have a beautiful subtle color and sheen, and be completely soft and supple.
The best way to "break in" a glove is a 2 step process. First, condition the glove with a glove conditioner. I personally like Lanolin. I have used other products as well. Example:
Wilson A6764 Premium Baseball Glove Oil
Wilson Baseball Glove Oil is premium neetsfoot combined with other oils to soften and enhance leather and provide consistent baseball glove care. Wilson Pro Stock baseball glove conditioner comes in a convenient 4 ounce spray bottle.
Wilson Baseball Glove Oil
Premium neetsfoot combined with other oils
Softens and enhances leather
Comes in a convenient 4 ounce spray bottle
Availability: Usually leaves warehouse in 5-7 business days
A6764$1.99
Qty:
Second buy it before you actually need it and take a couple of weeks playing catch with it to properly build the pcoket and loosen the leather.
If done that way the good quality glove will last for years, stay firm and not floppy. Condition it in the spring and after the season ends. It will be nice to you.
I have never understood why people want to quickly break in a glove by ruining or beaking down the leather. Just play catch with it.
Wilson A6764 Premium Baseball Glove Oil
Wilson Baseball Glove Oil is premium neetsfoot combined with other oils to soften and enhance leather and provide consistent baseball glove care. Wilson Pro Stock baseball glove conditioner comes in a convenient 4 ounce spray bottle.
Wilson Baseball Glove Oil
Premium neetsfoot combined with other oils
Softens and enhances leather
Comes in a convenient 4 ounce spray bottle
Availability: Usually leaves warehouse in 5-7 business days
A6764$1.99
Qty:
Second buy it before you actually need it and take a couple of weeks playing catch with it to properly build the pcoket and loosen the leather.
If done that way the good quality glove will last for years, stay firm and not floppy. Condition it in the spring and after the season ends. It will be nice to you.
I have never understood why people want to quickly break in a glove by ruining or beaking down the leather. Just play catch with it.
I'm with Bighit!
The cow sacrificed a lot so you could have a quality glove . . . Treat it with respect and break it in properly. All this pounding, drowning, cooking, freezing, and soaking will rapidly break down the molecular integrity of the leather. A accelerated break-in will ultimately result in an accelerated demise!
Fungo
The cow sacrificed a lot so you could have a quality glove . . . Treat it with respect and break it in properly. All this pounding, drowning, cooking, freezing, and soaking will rapidly break down the molecular integrity of the leather. A accelerated break-in will ultimately result in an accelerated demise!
Fungo
just put a light coating of neatfoots oil on the glove and use it.
water ruins leather.
Farmers used neatsfoot oil on harnesses,shoes,boots,leather hinges for years and had great results.
just because a bottle states "glove conditioner on it" and cost 4. for a ounce, it is still probably neatsfoot oil that can be bought at any tractor supply place for 12. a gallon.
how long did he live on the farm before he moved to the country?
water ruins leather.
Farmers used neatsfoot oil on harnesses,shoes,boots,leather hinges for years and had great results.
just because a bottle states "glove conditioner on it" and cost 4. for a ounce, it is still probably neatsfoot oil that can be bought at any tractor supply place for 12. a gallon.
how long did he live on the farm before he moved to the country?