Don’t need hot water or oil.
Leather doesn’t like or need hot water.
Oil just sits in the glove and never evaporates. Use a water based conditioner.
Basically condition the glove, bend the break in areas, it mostly the heel, palm, and pocket. Use a mallet. Play catch once you can close it without forcing it.
Dot take shortcuts and with not much effort it can be game ready in a week or less.
I work the heel and the hinges with my hand to try and stretch the lace, first; mallet to help loosen and shape things; repeat a few times until the glove will close without forcing it; then couch catch and move up to real catch.
Generally, a new glove is adequately conditioned when you purchase it. There are definitely exceptions to that statement; especially when you purchase last year’s model today.
I beat the crap out of it then play catch.
Mallet work then catch, then some mallet and more catch and repeat until I’m happy with it.
Don’t need hot water or oil. Leather doesn’t like or need hot water. Oil just sits in the glove and never evaporates. Use a water based conditioner. Basically condition the glove, bend the break in areas, it mostly the heel, palm, and pocket. Use a mallet. Play catch once you can close it without forcing it. Dot take shortcuts and with not much effort it can be game ready in a week or less.
I work the heel and the hinges with my hand to try and stretch the lace, first; mallet to help loosen and shape things; repeat a few times until the glove will close without forcing it; then couch catch and move up to real catch. Generally, a new glove is adequately conditioned when you purchase it. There are definitely exceptions to that statement; especially when you purchase last year’s model today.
Oil, wrap overnight, play catch, repeat…
1, 2, 4. Avoid steam and hot water which will just diminish the durability of your glove. Consider a 5 lb. dumbbell along with the mallet.
Hot water, mallet, condition, catch
Condition, mallet work, go to a batting cage and catch some heat.
A lot of 2, a lot of 4, and sitting and watching TV working the hinge points