Adopted a new Sheepdog into the family… and it’s a little weird

I'm clearly a fan of the Sheepdog design, but I always found the mini to be TOO small, and wished they would make one in between in size. So when I saw the new "C01C 2.9 BS" (2.9" blade), I had to pick one up. Size-wise, it's just what I wanted, but it's got a couple of kinda funky quirks.

First of all, it came with a filler tab, but the filler tab came in the spare hardware bag rather than installed? I mean I guess that's fine, but like, really? On a DLC Elmax knife you're gonna save cost on installing 2 screws? I guess it was just an afterthought? Pic with it installed in the comments (multiple pics in the OP ruins the quality).

Second, the "button liner lock" is just that. It is NOT a compression lock – the lock leaf does not get "compressed" against a bar like on Spyderco (and shoutout to Vosteed for doing this right). The compression design is so much stronger than this, I just cannot wrap my head around why these companies won't use it. Do they not understand the mechanics of how it works? Or are they trying to save the cost of that one extra bar in the frame? I mean I guess it's still better than a plunge lock, but whyyyyy?? Close-up of the mechanism in the comments as well.

Third, the pivot screw (T8) is on the show side, with the smooth Chicago screw cap thing on the reverse, which is the opposite of all the other Sheepdogs I own. Pretty minor aesthetic thing, but again… why?

And finally, it is inexplicably pretty gritty in the action, unlike any other Kizer knife I own. It's the only DLC Kizer I have, so maybe that's interfering with the bearings? Dunno, maybe it will break in. I'm not one to get super caught up on action, but it's odd.

Overall it fills the niche that I was asking for, but it kinda reminds me why I've been moving away from Kizer.