Thanks for the replies!
TomE, I did burnish the edges, wasn't as easy as some natural veg tan I got and didn't seem to last long, but that might be just me and lack of experience?
RockyAussie, you will hear from me soon, appreciate your offer.
Bruce Johnson, great info and something for me to consider. Thanks. I did try softening in water for bend at snap but didn't seem to soak much in, and it seems crack pretty easy compared to other shoulder etc I've used. Maybe I'm best using shoulders for these?
Thanks again :-)