# Need help with stiff glove **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [October 30, 2011, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-stiff-glove/601294 "2011-10-30T17:53:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SanDiegoTim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-stiff-glove/601294/1 "2011-10-30T17:53:20Z")
A while back I purchased a new Rawlings glove. Paid good money for it, too. Anyway, I can’t get it broke in/softened up. It just takes too much effort to squeeze it shut. Tried everything, most recently I used a good Nakoma product, inside and out, covered it with a towel and let it sit under the front wheel of my truck for several hours. Helped some, but it’s not what it should be. I had been playing 2-3 games a week with it, but finally had to go back to my old glove. Anyone have any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-stiff-glove/601294/2 "2011-10-30T18:23:05Z")
I use this stuff I found at a local sporting goods store. It’s a leather conditioner that came with a nylon harness. You lather up the glove, place a ball in the pocket, use the harness to close the glove around the ball, and then place in a 200 degree oven for 30 minutes. I’ll let the glove rest for a day then repeat the process again. I do this with a new glove, and then after the season is over. Works like a charm. ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-stiff-glove/601294/3 "2011-10-30T19:41:40Z")
> [@RetroVertigo](#): > > I use this stuff I found at a local sporting goods store. It’s a leather conditioner that came with a nylon harness. You lather up the glove, place a ball in the pocket, use the harness to close the glove around the ball, and then place in a 200 degree oven for 30 minutes. I’ll let the glove rest for a day then repeat the process again. I do this with a new glove, and then after the season is over. Works like a charm. That stuff will soften up the leather. I recommend it. However, it does not really “break-in” the glove. What I do is leave the glove around in places where I have down time. Then, whenever I have the chance, I will grab the glove in both hands and quickly flex it so the pocket area is rolling back and forth from my hand movements. Do that for a minute and set it down. Next time you see it, do it again. And on and on. It will break in quicker than just letting it sit until next used. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-stiff-glove/601294/4 "2011-10-31T14:14:11Z")
I always used linseed oil all over the glove, put a ball in it and tie it shut (thumb to ring finger). Then, just play a lot of catch with it. I used to play with a guy who also used linseed oil and tied it shut, but then he’d bake in the oven at low heat, about 300 degrees, for a short time, probably 5-8 minutes. He did that with every glove he owned, swore by that method. I never tried it, but it’s something to consider if you’re having a hard time breaking it in. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-stiff-glove/601294/5 "2011-10-31T14:21:38Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > I always used linseed oil all over the glove, put a ball in it and tie it shut (thumb to ring finger). Then, just play a lot of catch with it. > > I used to play with a guy who also used linseed oil and tied it shut, but then he’d bake in the oven at low heat, about 300 degrees, for a short time, probably 5-8 minutes. He did that with every glove he owned, swore by that method. I never tried it, but it’s something to consider if you’re having a hard time breaking it in. Doesn’t linseed oil turn sticky or hard like a varnish? I always used neatsfoot oil. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-stiff-glove/601294/6 "2011-10-31T15:27:36Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Doesn’t linseed oil turn sticky or hard like a varnish? I always used neatsfoot oil. Yeah, I think I meant neatsfoot oil. Not sure where I came up with linseed. Thanks for the correction.