I broke a Blade Tech too, after about ten years of daily use. The top of the guard at the back snaped off, about an inch. A couple of minutes with a file and I was back in business, the guard is a little shorter, but the holster is fine. I still use it everyday. The only thing that does go is the straps, and they have made improvements over the years and they last a lot longer. Not that they go that much, like three times in ten years. There is no comparasion between the Blade Tech and the Fobus or Uncle Mikes. I have a number of the Blade Techs of different types, but their IWB is my favorite.