Hi Sogflash, Four_shore, and others that dislike the cage.
Like Yab, it would be more constructive to know more specifically what features turn you off.
As far as the materials go, I think we've been using new advanced materials for a long time. No one had ever used many of the polymers and steels before we brought them to the market. We created the cage because there were complaints about unlocking the naked ball. As Yab said, a great deal of time and funds were spent to develop the caged ball. It's not an Axis (rod / scales) or an Arc (rotating rod), etc. It is a different mechanism and different engineering. We've had very few problems with the lock, which has been out for a few years with thousands of knives in the field.
Need more input. If you "just don't like plastic", or you want "less spring tension", I can understand. But we feel the caged ball is a safe, reliable, self adjusting lock. It's different from other locks. It doesn't infringe on anyones patents, in fact it has it's own patents.
Are you questioning whether or not it's a good lock or are you just expressing personal preferences?
sal