Gurney/21 Jul 12 - 04:12 AM
"...It may have been a product of the way the polished metal buttons seemed to be identically balanced...I think every 'hexagon zombie' should at least try to try a high-end instrument".

RE:There may be some friction differences from materials but probably of not significant practical importance. There are other mechanical factors involved making the instrument mechanism/"action" more or less smooth and precise and surely general quality is important but that mostly is a reed quality matter.Mechanism itself is sruprisingly equal when comparing low and high end models.The actual wear and related standard may differ very much though.I like all metal buttons too but they probably contribute to more noise, particularly if bushings are worn(probably one reason for the misunderstanding and common saying that "Lachenal action is noisier than Wheatstone action"

"I have wondered, in the past, about encasing the (roughly turned) ivory buttons on my instrument in brass tubes, or lining the button holes in the wooden end-plates with brass to act as bearings, but somehow never got around to it!"

RE: I would suggest you put metal caps on your buttons instead ( if you find some..)or replace them with well polished new PVC ones and put in new felt bushings in the end-plate holes.