Handle/chassis machining

[NPT]

Based on my somewhat recent discovery of Microtech OTFs, I have been wondering; Does anyone know how they (and others) machine all those intricate patterns on the handles, and leave no tool marks? They are aluminum, but look molded. I know they cannot be hand finishing anything, not at the price point they're at. I'm wondering if it's a tumble process?

On a related note, it seems that almost all OTF's come with an aluminum chassis. Is this mostly for strength? It also appears to largely be the case for a lot of folders, too. Aluminum's great, but I really like G10 more.

 

[Mitchell Knives]

Multiple passes with fine tooling and tumbling/blasting.

Aluminum is probably easier on their tooling than G10, not to mention all the dust.

Microtech did a run of OTFs in G10 at some point in the past.