Hate to say it, Bruce, but it may well be your technique.
I use Dai-Riki almost exclusively and out of hundreds of flies tied on 700's, 320's, 75's, 280's, 135's, 125's, and several other Dai-Riki hooks, I've only had a few break while crushing the barb and I don't recall ever losing a fish because of a broken hook.
John