Most people who have serious issues with brooks are adjustment related.. You need to use a level when adjusting the saddle - eyeballing it does not cut it.
Most brooks b17 user prefer a saddle with a fraction of upward tilt. I did not have any issues with the B17 in terms of breaking in - the saddle just got better over time.
You will read a million ways to soften the saddle - a better term should be RUIN YOUR SADDLE. You do not soften brooks saddles. Use proofide or Obernaufs on the saddle. One coat top and bottom - wipe top clean..
The saddle will feel slippery - slippery is hard to get used too at first - just remember slippery equates to little friction.. No friction is GOOD.
Just adjust - ride and enjoy.
You will need a seatpost with at least 20mm of setback - fsa makes a good one - the best is velo orange seatpost but only comes in 27.2
http://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...g-setback.html