I do most of my tying on Dai-Riki hooks and have very rarely had them break --maybe 2 out of 500 or less. I use a flat jaw pliers to debarb and usually come in from the side as that is easier for me and it seems to work fine. Most of the flies I tie are in the 16 to 20 range. Wonder if the problem is a bad batch?

Here's a bonus tip for Dai-Riki hook users. Know those flexible magnet sheets that are often printed with messages from plumbers, pizza joints, etc in the hope you'll stick their phone number on your refrigerator? Cut them in to the right size to fit the Dai-Riki hook packages. They help to avoid spilling hooks and seem to make it easier to pull out one hook at a time.