I have played the azalea long ago and it is one of the best 5 ply blades in the market today. Not really slower than infinity. It is softer. Making your loops easier but it is bouncy.
Seems to me that you just need to develop a weapon that you do not have - your bh. You said it yourself you only push back in the bh. When you lack the strokes, your choices of returns also decreases.