I use Java’s too. Top quality. I never work on my reeds, not bragging either! I think doing a little work on them is great for those that get into it. When I was a kid my teacher worked on em and showed me how etc but I never got into it. I don’t throw them all out. Let’s say out of the 5 one is awesome, one is good, one is not so good but if I play it a bit over time it might end up good and the other 2 I throw out.
One trick I discovered is for those stiff reeds, play em a bit and then while it’s on the piece, push it in with your thumb right on the heart of the reed. I do this over and over and work it in that way…kinda bending it and it does make it a little easier to play after doing this a few times.