I've used one of those hand held rotating drain augers but I found that once
the spring kinks or bends it pretty much won't ever get around the U trap
ever again.

I wondering if the spring style auger does better or worse than the flat bar
style. I see mostly the spring styles but am wondering if they are one shot
items or can be expected to last forever.

If the spring does kink, permanently bending it for the most part, should I
toss it.