Originally posted by RainmanP
Not that I will be needing it any time soon, but I was looking at the picture of the tensioning spanner. It looks like what is called a flare nut wrench here in the U.S., sort of a box end wrench with a space cut out. I assume that when the time comes I can just use one of those if I have the right size. Have you had to tension yours yet? How do you know when tensioning is needed? The instructions say "check tension", but they don't say what to look for.
Raymond, congratulations on your new leather saddle. Isn't it beautiful! It feels good, looks good. Soon it will be a part of you; tailored to the specific dimensions of your hip bone.
Don't touch the tensioning bolt unless you absolutely have too and when you do, be slow and conservative.
Many a leather saddle have been torn apart by that bolt. Frankly, I think it is mainly used during the manufacture of the seat.
The saddle may eventually stretch - especially if you don't take care of it and leave it outside to the elements. I have seen rows of bicycles that were parked mostly outside. The saddles looked like the swayed backs of old horses. I can imagine that these saddles may have been soaked to the core by rain at times and then ridden by the owners without an opportunity to dry. This would surely stretch them.
Still, I have seen many leather saddles that were treated with care and saw many miles. They maintained their gracefull lines.