info on butchering a brooks b-17

[autopi]

I'm thinking of trimming down the skirts of my brooks b-17, as shown
on:

http://www.wallbike.com/content/butchering.html

This would be exclusively for aesthetic reasons.
I've searched this group and on the web, and I can't seem to find much
information on two things, however:

1) Anyone who has experience with the long-term effects, if any, on the
saddle? Does trimming off the skirts eventually affect the firmness,
flexibility, whatever of the saddle?
2) The leather on the b-17 is quite thick--would going at it with a
standard issue razor blade be advisable? (On the Wallingford site,
someone says he used a razor on his Swift--but the leather on the
Swift, at least on my Swift, is thinner than on the b-17.) Or should I
perhaps just take it to a shoe repair shop or something along those
lines to have someone else do it?

Thanks for any input--
V.

[landotter]

Best way is to use a small grinding wheel on a dremel or drill.

Tape off the exact contours with masking tape and go at it.

I find the skirts on Brooks to be very annoying and thigh rubbing, so
you can justify it by saying that guy on the internet sez it's
practical. :-P

If it ever starts to sag, just punch a few holes at the bottom, and
lace it up to tighten in.

Google "Brooks saddle butchering" and you'll get a few more hints and
links.