I've seen it all...
Behind my desk as I type. I have a broken Seven2 ISO, AT2-E, Werner Bent, 2 Waterstick Karmas, a Waterstick Zen, and a broken Aqua Bound Aluminum... All paddles can break, and like it or not it almost always cames down to user error.
You do NOT always get what you pay for. When you pay more for a paddle- your paying more for the feel or performance and your paying for higher grade lighter materials. You are NOT always paying for more strength. In fact I'll put the $95 Aluminum Aqua Bound up against a $425 carbon Werner Double Diamond any of the week for sheer stength.
The feeling your get when paddling with a high end paddle is incredible. The instant transfer of energy, the rebound of the blade, and the smoothness of each stroke is what your paying for when you dish out the big bucks.
When you buy a Seven2 paddle, your buying it becuase of the weight of the paddle, the ergonomic hand grips, and low price. That's it. The ISO paddle has some drawbacks as well. The paddle tends to be hard to recover if you take a swim (result of low float volume= keeping the weight and cost down), it tends to feel soft or spongy (thin carbon shaft and soft plastic blades), and may cause blisters (side effect of tacky rubber grips- the same tacky rubber grips that make it so easy to hold onto).
The real deal is to take a step back from the paddle rack and take a long look at yourself. How hard are you on gear? Where do you paddle most? And what is going to fit into your price range?
Here's a couple of examples:
Female paddler 5'3" 125 lbs 25 yrs, new to the sport, paddles mostly Filter Plant, Grizley Creek, and Deckers. ( Seven2 ISO, or Aqua Bound FG-188-191cm-$110-$135)
Male paddler 6' 185 lbs 27 yrs, aggressive paddler loves big tricks and tight creeks, paddles over 80 days a year. Paddles Gore, Oh Be Joyful, Upper Animas, West Fork Clear Creek... (Werner Bent, AT4, Waterstick Zen- Looking for Carbon stiff and strong- 194-197cm- $229- $333)