Here is a poor photo of the handle with the ball. The buckle handle and ball are all black plastic (ABS?). There is a 2.5" twisted wire stainless cable that connects the handle and ball. The replacements I've made were the result of damage while storing them -- never from use. The only common problem is that you must keep the trap line under tension as you hike out. If the trap wire goes slack ( if you stand up rather than lean out), the ball drops out of the V-groove in the buckle. Exactly the action you want --- free release --- in any capsize.