Originally Posted by late
This is a reply to Miracle Whip's comments.
Old fashioned boot treatments were a combination of
oil and wax (among other things). This is not new, or rocket science.
A mix of oil and wax can permeate leather, and make it more flexible. It also adds water resistance, and prolongs the life of the leather. The wax does not simply seal up the pores.
Getting it into the leather is tough, but it's works.
Get enough Proofide into the leather, and the saddle will get soft.
If you apply it the traditional way. most of the wax just sits on the surface. But melted, it will get absorbed, like any liquid.
If I had a few saddles to experiment with, I am sure I could come up with a way to break in a saddle in a day or two without serious loss of longevity.
I know about boot treatments. The difference is a boot upper is not supporting weight. You want the boot uppers to bend and give while at the same time resisting the elements. For a saddle you don't want soft leather. Soft leather doesn't hold it shape. Soft leather sags. Soft leather isn't cushioning. A soft leather saddle is a hammock.
Brooks have been around for ages and the only surefire way to break them in is to ride. Were there some magical method it would long ago have been discovered.