That's generally my logic, I don't have an issue with the Java's on my Alto, but the Lupifaro just had something different, felt nice to play, sounded well, almost perfect... I then kick myself as I feel myself heading down the rabbit hole again
There's a reason I didn't play them and opted for the Java's 
Change or don't change there is no try. The world of trying reeds is strangely satisfying and frustrating at the same time. You get a new box of new reeds, the first one is either brilliant and the answer to your prayers or terrible, the second one is the opposite. By the end of the box you're not sure about this, but you think you'll try another one. Same thing happens and you dig out an old one from your previous favourites. It sounds just like you want it to. Sometimes you make a change and so it goes. I've got reeds from decades ago that I sometimes try again just in case. Just enjoy the journey and don't believe anything that anybody tells you.
I have too, some must be nearly 50 years old, I don't know why I keep them because I don't re-try them, but can't seem to get rid of them.
Having turned senior, have slowed down some. Prior to Covid, I was practising 4 hours a day, 6 days a week. A reed would last me maybe a week to 2 weeks. I use wider lay mouthpieces and as such thinner reeds vibrating more weaken earlier.
Most of mine have lasted over 40 hours, the longest was 105 hours.
That picture is very inconclusive. You need to bend the reed that it makes contact with the tip rail and that's where you take your measurement. If you do that and you are still sticking out 1mm, then you are doing something very unusual. Maybe it could work on a bari but try this on a soprano.
I pressed the cane firmly against the tip of the mouthpiece. Here is the result.
(bottom of page)
