Good observations, Skin. There are obviously lots of variables in regards the break shot: CB placement, english, swerve, type/condition of cloth, and air moisture content.
Considering english, I've always heard that with the standard sized tip there are 3 gradations of CB side spin: 1 tip, 2 tips, and low side spin (e.g. low right). I've never researched that. My suspicion is that with a very small tip, say, 9 mm, more "tips" of spin could be applied. And with the modern low-deflection shafts, it seems that more spin can be imparted. There are some excellent slo-mo videos on the "High-speed Pool and Billiards Video Clips site".
So if that's true, then low right spin (breaking from the left side of the table) would impart the maximum inside spin in attempt to come shorter off the foot rail. With low right, as Skin said, I've seen some players (e.g. Mike Surber, Cliff Joyner) actually swerve the CB into the 1st/2nd ball hit, much the same in effect as the curve ball in bowling.
But it seems to me that a new, or super dry cloth will not only not permit much swerve, but will also allow more squirt. So much so that when I play on real dry equipment I have to aim for a fuller hit on the head ball in order to result in a thinner hit on it.
Doc