i use the wire too here hun. and the snapping isn't just you. it's actually for many reasons. sometimes it's because you took too much hair, but other time it's because it's been bent in the one spot too much so it just breaks because it's far too weakened. so it's not your fault it keeps snapping; that's just what wire does, that's why you have a spool on hand.
as to the tool-i don't use one so i can't compare if it's better. i've heard that it is, but me, i perfer the wire. yes it snaps, yes it tears up my thumb and pointer finger, but to me, i just find it easy and thereaputic.
and i just saw that someone suggested "stretching" holes? well, for that i actually use a push pin; i also use that to reopen saled holes (from heat or paint) and to add holes (if adding a color streak to a mane). the hole is big enough to get a doubled over 28 gauge wire in and out very easily, and since thge plastic will automaticly "close back up" after a bit, if you pull the hair through it'll "close" around it and it'll fit in snuggly.
that's just my 2 cents. hope it can help you.
Kat