For me, the cut out benefit depends on what style of riding position the saddle is used for. My Rivet Pearl is fantastic on my touring bike w/drop bars but when I tried it in a more upright position - moustache bars on a Surly LHT, the cut out was irritating.
A S style Brooks works very nice on smaller frame bikes. The B17 is not necessarily styled for sitting upright which (IMO) is why our friend is selling. He bought for his wife's bike and she sits very upright so I think it was to narrow for her.
For some reason I haven't found leather saddles to be hard to break in so am not a good judge of the break in factor.
Sky King
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Gilles Berthoud "Bernard"
Surly ECR "Eazi"
Empowering the Bicycle Traveler
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