Heart of the Hide

It does take a while. But I am satisfied. I have the same one Joe Mauer uses, and I think Yadier Molina. I think I recongnized the glove on Molina...

I have a DBAT mitt. I find its very very similar to the HOH models. I have had it for around 6 months, and its still being broken in. It is very stiff, the way I like it, but the pocket just needs to soften up some more to cushion the ball a bit more. I think it will be ready by season time, which is in another 3 months.

woah. 3 months. thats coming fast.

My son got one a year ago.The stiffest glove ever!After about 6 monthes (after many recomendations)we put it in the oven.Used that "Hot Glove Treatment" or whatever it is called.That made a huge improvement...changed from 60% broken in to 90%.You put the oven on about 220 degrees,put the mitt on a clean cookie sheet after you coat it.Only put in in for 5 minutes or so,just long enough for the leather to expand & let the oil in.I was scared to do this with such an expensive glove & put it off for a while.My son gave it to the coach one day after practice & he did it for him.The directions are on the can.Also as I am sure you know get the hardest thrower on your team & play catch.

It took a year for me to break in my HOH catchers glove - of course I only use it in catching bullpens from my son and his friends - so it was taking a very long time.

I soaked it in glovolium - the stuff that the Rawlings people sell and then went and caught a pitching machine set on high at point blank range (keeping my old but precious body well out of the line of fire). Twenty minutes later, broken in...

I will say that this glove still has the loudest POP of any glove I have ever seen or heard. Not sure if it is unique to this one - but even an 11 year old can make this glove sound like 90 MPH... great for the egos... and makes the other team turn and look!!!! Any one else notice this feature?

The HOH does have an awesome pop.They also take forever to break in.Get one at least a year before you have to use it and use it for all your bullpen sessions.

One of the very worst things you can do for any baseball glove, is soak it with glovoleum or any other oil and put it in the oven. Lexol is much better for the leather, and should be used sparingly. If you're going to spend big bucks and buy a great catchers mitt, you should also take the time to break it in gradually, not go for some quick fix that'll break down the leather prematurely.

One of the best things you can do is to properly treat it with Lexol or other quality leather treatment, and then go sit on a bucket and catch hundreds of balls from an Iron Mike. That'll help break your mitt in faster, and you won't be damaging the leather with some quick fix.

I agree - we used to represent Lexol products (and are fortunate to have many samples left over!). Lexol is the preferred cleaning/conditioning product of Mercedes Benz. We had a HOH glove and it was alwys really stiff. Used Lexol and it helped.

What is Lexol? Can someone give me more info about it?

One time I used some glove oil, I think it was made by Franklin but I didn't notice it. I just played catch with it, and it gradually broke in. Didn't take 9-12 months though. I went to a camp with mine after having it- less than 6 months...I don't remember exactly. Someone tried it on and said it was really tight, but even then I didn't have any trouble catching the ball.

Yes - go to www.lexol.com and you can find all kinds of info on their products, and a location. It is really great stuff.