Jack Nicholson is wrong, "You CAN handle the truth!"

After entering the very scary world of color last month, I'd hoped that this month I'd be able to write a feel good blog.
 
However, Steve from Salina Municipal Golf Course ruined these plans.  Steve wants me to connect the world of retail packaging to a well known golf phrase:
 
"Grip it and Rip it!"
 
Let us pause for a moment of silence to honor the shopping bags that have had their handles violently amputated when being gripped and lifted by a well meaning customer.
 
How do we put an end to the victimization of innocent take out bags?  Choose your bag handles wisely
 
(If you'd rather not read about the various handles I would encourage you to skip to the end for some sage advice about how to order bags that will perform as desired)
 
The Die Cut Handle:  The die cut handle is the least expensive of the handles.  It is simply a hole cut into the bag. Die cut handles are designed to carry light weights.  This handle can can be reinforced by ordering either a fold over die cut or a patch handle.  These both give additional strength to the die cut handle.

The Soft Loop Handle: The next step up from the die cut handle both in price and performance is the handle referred to either as a soft loop or flexi loop handle. This handle is, for all intents and purposes, welded to the bag.  While there is no additional reinforcement, the heat sealing process allows it to capably handle medium weights.

The strongest, most expensive and most popular handles from an aesthetic stand point are reinforced with cardboard across the top of the bag. This family of handles includes the clip loop handle, the rope handle and the ribbon handle:
 
The Clip Loop Handle:  This handle is clipped onto the bag through two levels of poly and the cardboard reinforcement  As an added benefit, you can ask for a clip loop handle that snaps together and allows the bag to close.

 
The Ribbon and Rope Handles: These handle can be used on both plastic and bags and Euro tote style paper bags and they are generally regarded as the most elegant of the handles. These handles are attached by placing the handle ends through holes cut both into the bag and into the cardboard reinforcement   The handle ends are then knotted so that they do not slip back through the holes.  For additional strength grommets can be ordered to provide added reinforcement   

The Twisted Paper Handle:  These handles are extremely common and found on almost all paper shopping bags.  They are applied to the bag using a strong adhesive glue called hot melt.  After the handles are applied they are reinforced with an additional paper patch which is placed over the handles.  Manufacturers generally do not specify the weight that can be handled by these bags.
 

 
Now, here is the promised sage advice that will help you to order bags that will perform as desired:  
 
Before placing a bag order please request samples on which you can conduct your own performance tests.  By doing so you can be well assured that your customers will...
 
"Grip it and NOT Rip it!"