Originally Posted by
rekmeyata
Over time regardless if you use a softener or not the saddle will "hammock" by itself! I broke in my saddles without using any Proofide! It wasn't until the saddles had about 1000 miles on them did I start applying it, and then I apply is sparingly and about once a year, I use Kiwi shoe wax more frequently.
If you read my post I said I try to stay away from Chinese made products, didn't say I stay entirely away because I know it's impossible to do so, but whenever possible I avoid buying made in China products. what most people don't realize is that due to profit hungry corporations who have their junk made in China they raise the cost of the product to make more profit and then that item comes darn close to the price of something equivalent made in some other country...even the USA!! Some things simple like that saddle should last a long time, their using thicker leather and steel...not much can go wrong there! But I still wouldn't buy it because of what the government uses the money for.
Proofide is not a conditioner or a softener but merely a wax applied to the top rolled surface. Brooks saddles should not hammock by themselves if maintained at the right tension and none of mine did and I've been riding for a long time. You are right in saying that a wax polish will do the same job, as Proofide does not soften when applied on top and cannot penetrate the rolled top but merely offers a temporary and slight waterproofing effect.
"Chinese made products will always have spotty quality control and higher fail rates and shorter life expectancy. "
This is quite a statement. I was of the impression that the aficionados of Apple products thought that the high price of these was justified by the high quality of these products and of course they are made in China. Given that all if not the majority of mobile devices/computers are made in Korea /China/Asia I'd like to know where you source your own devices.