I'm new to this milieu...but I love satin Ice...I buy directly from the distributor in Montreal...and after I opened each tub..I re-wrap in the original plastic bag,plus ANOTHER zip-loc,then back in the tub,making sure to evacuate all the air from each bag...I find the darker colors crack a bit sometimes...I use a bit of shortening on my hands,on the mat I roll on,and on my rolling pin...just enough to coat....and yes,you have to knead it some...but then it's very malleable afterwards...one of my first attempts was a 12x18 double layer half sheet,and it didn't tear(butI re-rolled it 4 timesLOL)
If you had a lot of trouble,it may have been an old "stale' batch...