Cracking seeds is like my worst thing!

I'm going to be starting some older seeds soon I'll post how I do them but it's pretty basic. I never float them, but when I did it was only until they would sink, then they would go in the paper towels
Last time I started them directly in my 2 to 1 perlite/vermiculite blend in little 2 inch square pots, those pots sit in a tray with 1/4 inch or so of 80° water and the perlite/vermiculite blend self waters the pots. I can't remember if I floated them till they sunk or not last time? I also scratch them up lightly with a little bit of sandpaper