I have given up. Does anyone know a way to remove the hand strap in a non-destructive fashion?

There isn't a way I'm aware of; on all of ours, we simply cut it so there is approximately 3/4" of webbing left hanging. Any good rigger/parachute repair person can re-stitch this back on should you need. I know one guy that stitched on Gorilla Grip (industrial velcro) on the tail so he can still use the hand strap when he wishes.

Thanks. Sigh. Just trying to fit it into the Dbox. More sigh, already scratched the finished. It is used now ;)

An alternate strategy is that I may bag it and tape it to the back. After looking at the dBox, I may end up with it on the right side.