I also used Sheldon Brown's method with success. I used pure neatsfoot oil. Within 200 miles it was confortable. After 1000 miles it is still comfortable. I am not willing to ride an uncomfortable saddle for 500 or 1000 miles while it breaks in.
I find that saddle tilt does matter a lot. Tilting the nose up a little helps keep my sit bones on the wide part of the saddle. Tilting the nose up too much causes the nose to press into my sensitive parts.