I posted this in another forum, but maybe this one is better.

Anyway, this is my second kit, (first was DDR3). One part, the lock button being plastic was a surprise. I thougt it would have been metal.

I am referring to the "sliding lock button" that keeps the blade from opening when closed. It is captured between the two liners and slides in slots which are in each liner.

Has anyone made this in a different material or is plastic ok. My concern is that if the knifed gets a lot of useage I wonder if the plastic can take it.

Stu

We do have a kit knife forum here if you haven't tried it already. I'm not familiar with the details of that kit but I doubt Darrel Ralph would use a material that wouldn't perfom well. In any case, there probably isn't any choice but use the plastic part or make your own metal part if you prefer. However, you could check with knifekits.com to see if they offer that part in metal as an option....

Stu:

All DDR3-BL's use the plastic sliding safty lock. They seem to work well.

If you go over to the knifekit forum and ask around you might have someone offer to make you a metal one.

Eather way the safety relies on friction to work. Your scales or spacer must be relieved just right for it to consistantly work right. A metal one may wear down the scales and reduce friction. A plastic one might not do that. Mostly I think it is personal opinion. I've used both plastic and metal. Both seem fine to me.

By the way. Congratulations on buying a really nice folder kit.

When the kit first came out, there were many comments on the plastic safety. Plastic works well because it doesn't slide around too easily. Also, it makes it easy to trim it down to make it fit right. Still, no one liked the plastic safety. I think Darrel Ralph even circulated a question asking if people would be interested in a metal version. Someone - and I can't remember who - made some metal safeties and might sell you one. You might search around for that.