Keeps33 Catcher break in method

[Keeps33]

Well ive gotten alot of PMs and Questions on exactly how i break in my catchers so i figured id do it step by step with pics here. Everyone who puts on one of my gloves is always amazed(so they say) at how broken in the glove feels for being new. I JUST got my new 5500 and heres what she looks like outta the package straight from Vaughn.

The glove outta the box felt damn good, Vaughn is makin them more game ready as the years go by right outta the factory, but i like mine to snap shut real well and easily.
First Step get the tap water runnin as hot as you can. Open the glove and let the water run right into the hand, let it run for bout a minute to get the plastics and gel etc nice and warm.

Next step is to do the same into the catcher area of the glove makin sure to get the palm and crease good and warm.

Then put yer hand into the glove(assuming you wont get burned) and squeeze it hard and close it the way you want it to shape itself into, also ,make sure to curve the glove so there is no real gap when the glove is shut.

Then Slip your hand out without changing the shape of the glove! Wrap it in a towel-I do this one so the water doesnt make a mess and two-more importantly you dont wanna get the glove dirty especially those pretty white ones!
I then carefully wrap the glove with the towel and put a good size weight or object right on top of it so that it stays that way. In this case i stuck it under my couch which is plenty of weight.

Let the glove sit there until its dry, about 24 hours should do it. I then will usually repeat this process once or twice more.

This method works on pretty much every and any catcher i've ever used and i've had NO issues with the gloves falling apart or prematurely wearing down, after all these gloves see soo much sweat what is clean tap water gonna do to em!? Just remember to let the gloves dry!
I also use this method to clean my gloves periodically using a lil antibacterial hand soap and an old toothbrush to get in the finger stalls, then repeat the method above. Any Questions shoot!

[digitalcrease]

Do you do any similar things to a blocker?

[Wonder Train]

Do you think this will work in the reshaping of the glove because I've used my glove so much that it is kinda awkward. almost like a peice of the palm is sticking out of the glove. its hard to explain.

[Dozer3677]

I like it. And it is much better than wearing it for hours on end just sitting there, opening, and closing it, over & over & over & over & over &...........

then getting 3 or 4 pucks, and putting them in the glove, and tieing it closed w/a belt or yarn or whatever.

Do you think running water through it, then placing in towel (using your steps) but also placing near/in front of a dehumidifier would dry the glove out in a bad way, or would it be helpful in making the drying process go quicker?

[Keeps33]

Originally Posted by digitalcrease

Do you do any similar things to a blocker?

No the blocker is usually good right outta the box for me.

Originally Posted by Wonder Train

Do you think this will work in the reshaping of the glove because I've used my glove so much that it is kinda awkward. almost like a peice of the palm is sticking out of the glove. its hard to explain.

Id say it will help, ive reshaped a glove before, it depends on how misshapin it is i guess, it would be worth the try.

Originally Posted by Dozer3677

I like it. And it is much better than wearing it for hours on end just sitting there, opening, and closing it, over & over & over & over & over &...........

then getting 3 or 4 pucks, and putting them in the glove, and tieing it closed w/a belt or yarn or whatever.

Do you think running water through it, then placing in towel (using your steps) but also placing near/in front of a dehumidifier would dry the glove out in a bad way, or would it be helpful in making the drying process go quicker?

Yeah puttin pucks or a softball in the T is also an option if you so choose. I dont see how the dehumidifier would hurt it.

[Wonder Train]

So you've never seen any drop in protection. I really can't loose anymore protection.

[Dainsleif]

So can this really permanently change the shape of the plastics? I've tried out almost everything (except this) to get my a Simmons 994 to close properly, to no avail so far. It always goes back to its original shape.

[Dozer3677]

Originally Posted by Keeps33

Yeah puttin pucks or a softball in the T is also an option if you so choose. I dont see how the dehumidifier would hurt it.

That for lack of a better way. I like your way better.....Thanks for the knowledge Keeps!!

[mash]

Nice method, glad to hear it works like a charm.

I heard they used that same method on Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

[Wonder Train]

I tried it and i juist put the weight on it so lets all cross our fingers for wonder train

[Brebs32]

Been there done that... and it works like a charm.

[Wonder Train]

Thank god i will post what happens tomorrow til then

Wonder train out

[DRE75HABS]

Using a steamer will get the same results, thought I only do it on the inside of the glove, but same idea, get it nice and hot so the internals are nice and cookin' and then close it how you want and either tie it closed or put something heavy on it.

[vaughn35]

Thanks for the post! Should be stickied.

I was just looking into breaking my one75/

[Goalerguy]

Did it to my 5500 and epic gloves and the water came out yellow brown lol they're going to be SO worked in now. I think this should be stickied because we all made stickies when we saw keeps set lol it would save lots of threads we all hate.