When I first got my printer I bought this filament: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B093PTTFPJ It seemed to work fine, however I observed that there wasn't a strong bond between layers, and it didn't take a lot of force to break off sections of a part if they were small enough. I just assumed that's just how it is with 3D printing with PLA, like maybe it is more designed for models than parts that are going to be used in an assembly.

When that roll was running out, I bought this one (the brittle one referenced in the OP) and the first thing I noticed was that the parts were much stronger, and didn't break easily. I was quite pleased with that.

I am hoping that the strength characteristic isn't a factor of what also caused the brittleness, and that I don't lose the strength characteristic if I get a new roll that isn't brittle.