Comparing striking with post fire reduction

I've done many reduction firings and more recently I've been doing striking - here's a direct comparison of the results.

For post fire reduction I use this program - 

1 - 400 to 1000F
2 - 200 to 1410
3 - 200 to 1350 1.30 hold/ Reduction
4 - 200 to 1250

For striking I use the same program without the reduction during the 1:30 hold.

Here are pictures of the same pieces, first struck and 2 days later, post fire reduced.

From previous experiments I know that doing a second striking produces no changes, so the difference is caused by the reduction, not the additional strike time.


   



  

   

The picture on the left is after striking. The picture on the right is the same piece then post fire reduced.
 I like the result from striking in 8 of the 9 pieces. Only in the last picture do I prefer the reduced piece.
Reduction seems to cause loss of sharpness, loss of contrast, overall darkening and loss of detail.

I use propane - maybe the results are different with alcohol???
Maybe it's the particular glaze recipes.

For those who aren't able to do reduction, and for those who do reduction, I strongly recommend trying striking!

Arnie