IMO the late owner did not break the flick tip, whipping the flick tip in this manner was a regular ploy, he would have attached the line on the flick tip with two pieces of rubber or silicon, after threading the line through both pieces, the first piece would be pushed about six inches down the flick tip ,the line would then be wound around the flick tip a few times and then the second piece of threaded silicon/rubber would be attached to the very end of the flick tip with about half an inch over hanging , this held everything securely and stopped tangles , a great way of doing things and like most good ideas ,very simple and effective.