In response to the post in italics under this one, time hardened saddles that have broken in to the previous owners partings and thence have a life threatening ridge: in my experience, the only way to save these, and I give this advice with no guaranty of result and assume no liability for damages of any sort whether direct or indirect regarding your social life or worth of the saddle, is to untighten the tension nut all the way, then soak them so thoroughly that they become almost soggy. I use a spray leather care which pentrates faster than liquids for some reason. Thereafter, they need a very protracted dry time in a damp free and warm t° stable environment. Ride 'em flexible, tighten gradually as they flatten/adapt to your anatomy. The main danger is leather crackling and micro fissures as they dry out. Experiment on valueless saddles first. I mention in passing that I have a more than passing interest in this matter having stubbornly ridden long distance on a bad leather saddle and spent three weeks in hospital, 5 months limping, and a further 6 months with no social activity or bike riding. I believe orchitis is the word in English, and to those who will inevitably write in to say yes that's right, that's a disease you catch from public toilets haha, I can only reapeat the hospital doctor's words: be careful in future what you sit on.
Otherwise, the real leather experts have to be the horse saddle guys. Has anybody contacted a seasoned leathersmith to get his thoughts/suggestions on the whole issue ?
Nick March, Mont de Marsan, Aquitaine, France
I don't use Brooks or Ideale any more since they don't fit my undersides, but I have had several. I've only used Proofide, up to a few coatings on top per month, and not seen any inordinate stretching. I liked a Brooks Pro for quite a while. I understand that Proofide is gentle enough for many applications, and I have not known it to aid in softening. My feeling has always been that if the saddle will not break in to my shape, or if I can't acclimate to it, I won't be able to use it.
Many supposedly "broken-in" leather saddles have butt-bone depressions flanking a ridge, and I find this shape to be impossible. I don't see how any leather treatments that do not involve clever leather surgery can remedy this situation, at least for me. Result is, I'm not comfortable on any on-topic saddles.
Ken Freeman Ann Arbor, MI
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