On the Starmate, the clip screws go into the liner and the tang ramp is concave. Learned this trick from Bob Terzuola when he taught me to make Linerlocks.
On all other designs with G10 or micarta, the clip screws are designed to go into a liner. This design direction was in question because the Goddard Micarta version never had a liner and rarely had a problem.
So some of the early production on some of the G10 and micarta models were screwed into the G10 or Micarta without including a liner. On most of these, we eventually added the liner. On the models that were already out there with screws not going into the liner or without a liner, we just take care of the customer if they have a problem. In reality, there have been relatively few problems.
All G10 and Micarta handles currently in production have a liner and the clip screws are screwed into same.
Adding a liner to a model adds, weight, thickness and cost. Three things that are not usually considered desirable. Making something fatter and heavier and more exspensive does not necessarily make it better quality. We add material based on safety and strength and sometimes it just takes time in the field to determine the strength needs. Hope this helps.
We make pretty good product, and we stand behind it. At least as good and in most cases better than most of our competitors. The company operates on the assumption that it is possible to be successful in todays marketplace without cutting corners on product quality or being deceptive in what is being provided.
I recognize and understand the marketing "game", but in reality it is the performance of the product and the company that will ultimately determine at what level the company operates.
I am pleased to say that we do have a number of esteemed competitors that also try hard to put out good product. This has created the drive to always improve and refine in all of us. As an industry, we are making better product than has ever before been produced. I hope it continues.
sal
