yeah i know they suck so you dont need to tell me but some of us cant afford $350 bindings. anyway i recently ripped out the toepiece of them and took them in and the guy told me that it was because of the plastic mounted underneath them. so he took out the plastic and helicoiled all the holes but i was wondering how much of a difference the plastic makes? and also do watch lifes have softer wood then most skis?