Stuff it

[Kristal]

Tested direction exstensively, it works.

Noone in over 6? years has ever produced any convincing data that supports the myth. Even the devs cracked a smile at the mention of it on a Q&A panel a few years back.

[Kraggy]

I've seen figures that on the face of it seemed to show patterns, OTOH I just never have been able to believe SE would have ever thought about putting such factors into crafting .. I'm sure the devs have had many laughs at players' expense over the years.

Many people do it simply because, as the OP's case demonstrates, the penalty/cost of failure at times is large and few are prepared to follow their convictions and not face the right way at the right phase of the moon, 'just in case'.