I use recently manufactured B-17s on my bikes and find them comfortable.

I also have a Brooks Professional from the late 70s, still in very nice condition. And it stays that way because I can't stand riding on it. It has much thicker, harder leather than the B-17s, and never softened or conformed in the slightest even after hundreds of miles. Bolt a bench vise on your seat post and sit on it - same experience.

Over the years I applied Proofide several times, top and bottom. It gave the leather a nice look but had no effect on its diamond-like hardness.

I have 3 choices: Hang it on the wall, EBay it, or find a way to soften it. I've heard of various forms of witchcraft, such as soaking it in linseed oil, or in water; executing a drum roll on it with 2 baseball bats; applying Paul Newman salad dressing and microwaving for 10 minutes (ok I just made that up). For each such suggestion, I've seen at least one corresponding post warning that it will ruin the saddle. I'm willing to take a chance, but only on something that sounds reasonable.

Advice anyone?

FWIW, modern Brooks Pros are thicker and harder than other Brooks saddles, too. They use the thickest leather of any Brooks. I find all the Brooks saddles I've used very comfortable......except the Brooks Pro. Probably more about the shape than the hardness, though.

Lots of Brooks users/owners over on the touring forum, try posting over there.

I have a Brooks Pro and I don't have any problem but I like the shape out of the box.

30 years on my Pro is a saddle , it gives a bit with each leg motion ..
warmed it in the oven to hot summer day , temperatures 100f

it, upside down, sponged up a wad of proofide,
the waxes re solidified in the leather when it cooled,
and It's been decent ever since..

even smoothed out some scratches in the surface after a while..

just by riding it..

Apply a extra generous amount of proofide to the bottom of the saddle and really work it in there. I've also been know to condition my Brooks saddles one time, by taping the vent holes closed on the top and flipping them over and pouring a capfull of SAE 10-40 motor oil on the bottom side and wiping it all aound. This is also a great way to "weather proof" it and protect it from rear wheel water spray.
Some people will swear by what I've done and some people will just swear I've ruined the leather.
YMMV

Trade it for other bike stuff. What do you need that you think would be an even trade?

I melt candle wax and brush a nice thick coat on top and bottom, then go over it with a heat gun just enough to melt the wax which soaks right in to the leather. Wipe off the little bit of excess and buff with a cloth.
It is now totally waterproof and as your butt warms it up it will also be slightly softer. (the saddle)

IMHO, if a particular Brooks saddle doesn't fit you reasonable enough straight out the box, or after several hundred miles, I see no reason to use it.

The comfort in a Brooks saddle isn't caused by soft leather, but by a hard leather shell that flexes. The modern carbon saddles that are extremely hard, use the same principle. Indentations may distribute pressure even better which also helps.

Treatments such using lots of oil etc. just ruins the leather (clog the pores, makes it too stretchy, or brittle etc) without any good chance of improving the comfort. Experimenting with saddle angle (start with flat nose), height (as high as possible) and rear offset (move it way back), may produce better results than various voodoo treatments.

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Regards

+1. After several Brooks saddles, and almost all of them being very comfortable to me, I've come to the conclusion that it's really about the shape to begin with; if it doesn't work early on, it probably never will. It might become more comfortable as it breaks in, but it should be pretty comfortable to begin with to be a keeper.

Interesting responses. I love Brooks 'culture'. Yes, the Pro has a different shape from the B-17, more of a 'dome' as well as narrower. I agree that there is probably nothing that can be done to a Pro to make it feel like a B-17. This thing is hard. You could smash cocoanuts with it. Rap it with your knuckles and it sounds like an oak plank.

I think I'll Ebay it and apply whatever I get to another B-17.