Wondering what made you stick with the kicker so long before switching, was it just habit or were you trying to save time? I've had the same thing happen where the kicker feels fine for the first few rows and then starts fighting me near the end of a run. Curious how you read that moment, is it the seam lifting, the carpet not grabbing, or just a gut feeling that you're pulling too hard? And did the 4% stretch setting factor in at all or was it more about the pins not biting right?

Bought a whole box of handles from one of those big box stores a few years back and had three fail in a week, all right at the eye like yours. Ran into an old timer at the hardware store who told me to look at the end grain before buying, if the growth rings run parallel to the wedge slot instead of across it, that handle is gonna split every time. Started checking every handle in the bin before I buy one and haven't had a failure since. I also quit swinging when it's below freezing because that cold makes hickory brittle as all get out. Ash is decent but honestly harder to find good stuff these days, and the fiberglass ones feel dead in your hands but they sure don't break. If you go fiberglass get one with a rubber over-grip, the bare ones will rattle your teeth loose.