I'll be honest that in all the bats Ive ever owned as an adult (5x Slazenger V100, a GM hero 909 and 2x grade one MH solutions) have been shop bought and I've never really paid much attention to knocking in. They've had a coat of oil, a face put on and then out to the net or even sometimes a match and all have seemed to perform OK, but i guess they have all improved with time. After reading on here about knocking in and this being my first real large profile bat (last bat i bought was 2009) Ive just spent 2 odd hours knocking in. Half hour on each edge, half hour on the first 2 inches of the toe and then half hour on the rest of the blade. It seemed quite soft so went easy and gradually increased force with the mallet and afterwards there was a visible lip below the sticker where the blade had compressed slightly. I was a little worried but then i bounced a ball on it and wow!!! the note has completely changed from straight out the box and the ball rebounds what seems like about half as much again! Completely amazed at how this pings and sounds now!
Might have to find someone to give me some throw downs even if I am on one leg.
CM