Originally Posted by Bekologist
Now that you've already soaked the leather, no glue I know of is going to adhere very well. You need to apply glue to unconditioned or "dry" leather.
New rivets applied thru leather grommets (or a grommet doughnut for the entire rivet set) stitched and glued onto the bottom side of the saddle leather is the only way I know of reinforcing a saddle torn like that correctly.
I *think* that CA or super glues will adhere, especially when used with a primer. Also, while I've never tried replacing the rivets in a Brooks, the bigger rivets may also have a bigger stud that requires a bigger hole drilled in the cantle plate....(?). I guess it all depends on how much tearing there is around the existing rivets. If no more than about 3/16", I say give the glue a try first, and if that's a no go, then try the big rivet... If your tear is bigger, start saving for that new saddle.