"I love the holdfast example.  The people making the more modern versions probably didn't use them so they made different decisions to meet their priorities.  For example, tapering to use less material makes it less grippy.  Casting instead of forging which is cheaper, but makes them more likely to snap.Those of us wanting a better holdfast need to seek out a blacksmith that know why it's made that way and pay more for something that works 100%. Or get something that is cheaper (Grammercy) and scuff it up so it works well enough.  Or get the cast junk and hope it doesn't break."