You're preaching to the choir. Brooks' saddles are popular and many users praise them, but I can't share their enthusiasm. Comfort-wise I found my std men's B-17 to have been average or below average. My thoughts on Brooks in general and more specifically the B-17 follow:

1. Antiquated design subject to premature catastrophic failure (see OP, or this recent thread).

2. Inordinate care requirements. Always waterproof cover overnight. Apply Proofide ONLY, 1 tsp annually - a substance made primarily from tallow, to ensure the Brooks leather is properly seasoned for the local wildlife's dinner.

3. Uncomfortable, long break-in period required (some users never achieve break-in). Nothing matches the new saddle experience of a rock-hard, slick-as-snot Brooks saddle. Raise the front so you won't slide off at hard stops!

4. 2-4 times heavier than most conventional saddles (500-850g vs 200-300g).

5. Rear width interferes with leg movement and fore-aft shifting, wider than necessary for sit-bone support. B17s are intended for very upright bicycling posture.

6. If everything goes right, they still are shorter-lived than conventional saddles due to inexorible sag. The tensioned leather design sags more than conventional saddles with frames and padding for support.

7. As saddles go, Brooks is not inexpensive, especially when you get away from the B-17 variants.