Softening a Brooks

[Vantage]

Aside from treating it with proofide a couple times a year, leave it alone and let nature take its course. Foreseeing what leather is going to do under certain conditions isn't easy and is more guesswork than fact. Mine took a real rain hammering during the Way of the Roses tour some years ago and that I think is what led to it breaking in and forming a Vantages arse sort of shape but I wouldn't deliberately soak one to achieve that result. That's asking for trouble imo.
Anyone saying one saddle is better or worse than another is talking out of their arse. Saddles are a personal thing.

 

[C R]

Wouldn't lard just make it greasy and smell bad?

It was sort of tongue in cheek advice. Lard was used traditionally to soften the leather in heavy work boots.

 

[Jameshow]

It was sort of tongue in cheek advice. Lard was used traditionally to soften the leather in heavy work boots.

Try dubbin.

 

[EltonFrog]

You don't soften a Brooks, a Brooks hardens your arse.

B17 user here, on my KP, I have ridden many 25 mile plus rides on it, no padded shorts, it's very comfortable.
Also the most comfortable saddle I have ever owned was a Brooks that was on a 44 year old BSA bike, I should have kept that saddle.

I realise having typed this, the information is of no practical use at all, but it's typed now so, I'm posting it.