- never had a staining issue w/either honey or black b17s (have two of each in service)...

- i guess it was the 'luck of the draw,' but i found that the two black b17s were more 'broken in' out of the box, and required slight tightening, while both honeys were 'harder' and required more break in... others have reported no difference, so there are variations from saddle to saddle even in the same model line...

- one thing you can count on: a saddle that gets more comfortable with use...