My first Legere was a European cut, which was OK for me, but I found that it lost its “best sound” fairly quickly. I have not found that to be true with the French cut. They play great, and for a long time. The best part of legere reeds for me is when I’m teaching. I live in the northern Midwest which gets cold and dry for much of the year, and I got tired of having to re-wet my read to demonstrate Something for my student anytime I hadn’t been playing for, I don’t know, maybe 20 seconds? The legere is ready to go all of the time! It’s also great with rehearsals and performing to know that whatever my reed situation is, I always have a legere that can get the job done.