Why plastic cage for P'kal BBL?

[biogon]

Just was wondering what the design rationale for the plastic BBL cage was versus a steel or titanium one.

Cost, ease of manufacturing for a molded instead of a machined piece, maybe self-lubricating (instead of metal on metal?)

I guess the ramrod portion of the cage is also made of the polymer, but I figure none of it is loadbearing, right?

It just seems like a polymer cage on the release would make the serrations/grip wear down a lot faster with regular use compared to a metal/titanium one.

Thanks!

-j

 

[smcfalls13]

Cost, ease of manufacturing for a molded instead of a machined piece, maybe self-lubricating (instead of metal on metal?)

I'd expect cost to be a major factor in that decision. A plastic cage can be manufactured much more easily(read inexpensively) than machining a metal piece for each one.

It just seems like a polymer cage on the release would make the serrations/grip wear down a lot faster with regular use compared to a metal/titanium one.

I doubt it. I've yet to see the volcano pattern FRN lose it's texture at all, so I highly doubt the cage will lose it's texturing either.

It doesn't bother me all that much, but this may turn out to be one of those things that bother people enough that they don't buy the knife. Kinda like Teflon vs. PB washers. For the average user, theres no difference, but people make a big deal about it.

For the record, I'd prefer an all metal construction too, but purely for aesthetics. I think it would look nicer. Not sure if I'd be willing to pay $10 more for it, but still

 

[biogon]

I was kind of guessing that.

About losing texture... I haven't seen Zytel/FRN lose texture, but I have definitely seen G10 lose texture and in fact get buffed mostly smooth with regular use, so I suppose it depends on the material.

It certainly doesn't bother me.

OTOH, I actually do feel a difference between phosphor bronze and Nylatron washers... less so when comparing PB and teflon (either the weird paper-thin Spyderco kind or the thicker white generic kind).

Depending on the knife, I'd definitely pay more for a metal cage.

Just think of the difference if BM's AXIS lock used plastic studs (they can't use a plastic bar since it's loadbearing, but...)

-j

 

[The Deacon]

Another factor may be that the cage needs to be a bit "springy" since it appears to "snap" over the ball rather than just surround it. Not sure if you could accommodate that with machined metal.