Ideal Ergo-Elite issues/questions

Hi all. I have a question that someone here may be able to answer but first some info/ explanation. I recently got the Practical Motorsports Wiring course and shortly thereafter started looking at tools. I was able to find a used pair of Ergo Elites on Ebay for a pretty good price. The frame is in good condition, blades look good as well. The issue I am having is that it doesn't seem to function correctly. When you squeeze the handles it clamps down, the blades close and then the jaws move apart.

The issue comes when I go to slightly release the handles to release the gripper and remove the wire it doesn't release at all/ correctly so when you fully release the handles the blade section doesn't open and then snaps home. If I were stripping wire it seems like it would just strip the wire and then smash the stripped end when completing the operation.

I have searched high and low and cannot find any sort of exploded diagram of all the parts and how they are assembled. There is a small flat spring that doesn't seem to change function if I put it where it *seems* like it might go and I cannot find a picture that shows where it should go. I WAS however able to find the patent for the Ergo-Elites but the pictures used are not as detailed as I would need and don't always show all the components at the same time.

Now to the questions. Might anyone have an exploded diagram OR be willing to disassemble their pair ( or even try to take some detailed close up pictures of an assembled, functioning pair) so I could see what my issue may be? Even though these strippers don't currently function correctly, for what I paid ($120 USD) compared to what some places want new, I cant complain too much. I also have another question. Are the Ergo-Elite blades just plain expensive or is supply just so low that the price has gone way up? I know the Ergo-Elites are precision pieces and the blades even more so, but from what I can find some places want almost the price of a full pair of strippers for just the blades! ( Ideal PN 55-1987-1 for the replacement blades.)

I have attached a picture of the disassembled strippers with the flat spring in question circled.

Thank you in advance for any/ all info anyone may have.

I'm not familiar with that particular unit, but hopefully someone will have some insight for you!