"Leverage" at the connection as you describe it is an incorrect way to do gain kuzushi in
morotedori saya undo as I was taught it. So if bad aikido is compared with "good" anything else it necessarily suffers in comparison. We do it with extension (down, out, in ( tricksy that one
), sideways, up or whatever) and resultant buckling -- not leverage.
Very interesting, otherwise.
Thanks.