Thanks for the file, anim8me2, very much appreciatedd.
It took a long time while the Auto Realign was checked. But I was always able to stop it.
The model has a lot of polygons, it looked like a SubDivisionSurface result. So I un-subdivided it and checked the original mesh—all fine. Just to be sure that all trouble sources are reviewed.
I added a few cutting selections, as the handle is certainly not relaxed, without finding an option to separate. However, even before this, I had no trouble.
Since you encounter this problem with different models, the chance that it is in the model was slim but needed to be checked.
I went through all options four times, two times with the hi-res, and two times with the low res. Each time with your cutting selections and then with mine. Nothing froze, nothing crashed.
Perhaps check the file that I have sent.
I’m not sure if the support has more luck. Which was one of my intentions, as it is weekend, and I didn’t want to make you wait.
At this point, I could suggest looking into another file, but I doubt that I will find more. The mesh had nothing really concerning in it.
Sorry to be not able to help you more. I can only suggest starting with the simples objects, then increase the complexity. However, if that is good advice here, I don’t know. Can you check your system, if you hit a bottleneck somewhere (wild guess!). I assume you set up is faster than the one I tested it with.
My best wishes
