Die drawn cable, has its outer wires flattened, to be smoother ..

FWIW I have a recent Brompton I got Used, they use both coated cables and lined housing..

I changed brake levers & when I replaced both with Longer, found the cable coating rubs off ,

where the cable sees the most friction, in bends..

I solder the end before cutting the cable on My Bike. Zn treated steel , thats easier to do , I grease the cable to resist rust .

( Stainless takes a silver based solder & a different flux)



Jagwire has a Kevlar braided sheath housing of linear low compression type, new, for Disc mechanical brake use,
though spiral square wire housing is adequate and time tested.