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'Expensive' is a relative notion. There are numerous titanium dive knives available on eBay that are between $40-$60, which is quite inexpensive in my opinion. Sadamune

Ceramic blades are the sharpest in the world I believe, and of course impervious to corrosion. However, they are fragile and best suited to laboratory or kitchen use by someone skilled and very careful. A titanium blade (especially a beta titanium alloy) would be just as corrosion resistant but...

Indeed, titanium alloy knives are ideal due to their totally immunity to corrosion. However, there are many titanium alloys and some are more suited for knife blades than others. The best titanium blades are made of a 'beta' alloy, which refers to the crystalline structure of the titanium alloy...

Regulators made of Ti-45Nb. This is a titanium alloy that was recently developed for the gold mining industry for use in autoclave gold processing, but has applications in other super corrosive environments, as well as in medicine. Adding a significant amount of niobium, about 45 wt%, to...

Exactly. If someone wishes to innovate, even if some people are mystified by it, then all the better. Increased choices enrich the industry. Diversity is a strength. While the market may be quite small for a titanium backplate, there might be some profit potential in it. Good luck to those who...

Quite true, many plastics, and especially composite materials like carbon fiber reinforced plastics, have strength to weight ratios that exceed that of any alloy. It is also true that backplates do not need to be very strong in their application. However, plastic/composite materials do not have...

I sure didn't think of that. You raise a good point though. People who have been traumatized by plastics and who also suffer from aluminium contact dermatitis would be a potential market for titanium backplates. In fact, I'm sure they'd get all warm and fuzzy just thinking about it. Sadamune

Seawater is an electrolyte. The stainless nuts and bolts used to mount STAs, back pads, etc., are in direct contact with an aluminium backplate. As there are small crevices and gaps between the two metals, seawater will creep in (capillary action). Even when out of the water and having been...

Where fresh water is scarce, it will be conserved for drinking and not wasted on rinsing gear. If a diver were collecting gear to be used on a series of expeditions where access to fresh water is difficult or restricted, it would be wise to acquire gear that can tolerate little to no maintenance...

There are four types of divers I can think of that would constitute the market for a titanium backplate. - Divers who enjoy conspicuous assumption. - Divers who need to shave weight off their gear in order to accommodate air traveling weight limits and that do not like aluminium or polymers...

Cool! 316 is a really nice grade of stainless steel, especially for marine applications. In fact, it is generally referred to as "marine grade" stainless steel due to its excellent resistance to corrosion caused by the chloride ions in seawater. I have no doubt that the ST1 will be an amazing...

I am very curious to know what specific alloy of stainless steel Atomic plans to use for the ST1. An economical choice would be to use an austenitic alloy like 316, which due to its molybdenum content is more resistant to corrosion than 304 and yet is still affordable. In fact, the nicer...

I did extensive research before purchasing my Agir-Brokk backplate and wing. Agir-Brokk is a Swedish company that makes DIR compliant gear that is very popular in the thriving Baltic Sea and North Sea dive communities. Their backplates are constructed out of the more corrosion resistant 316SS...

Thanks DA Aquamaster, you are quite right. O2 won't cause oil to spontaneously combust, but such contaminants can ignite inside a regulator if the temperature is sufficiently high and they are exposed to high concentration O2. Such high temperatures in a regulator are caused by adiabatic...

That is indeed true, but I suspect that the idea of dedicating a T1/T2 to either air or EANx is influenced in part by concerns of legal liability. In actuality, a T1/T2 can be used for both air and EANx, provided that the regulator is O2 cleaned before switching to EANx. As repeated O2 cleaning...

I own an Atomic Aquatics T1, which is almost identical to the T2 (the T2 has an environmentally sealed 1st stage, which is optional for the T1). It is the greatest regulator I have ever used. It is ingeniously engineered and beautifully crafted. Even if you were to purchase a B2 or Z2, I have no...

To be more precise, a titanium regulator shouldn't be used with O2 percentages over 40%. The reason for this prohibition is that in the event of an O2 fire, the titanium in the first stage could ignite and create an extremely hot fire. The claim that titanium will spontaneously ignite in the...

This is a good example where a titanium regulator can be legitimately considered ridiculous (except by those who are filthy rich). I admit that I would never pay full retail price for a titanium regulator, considering that such a price could probably buy at least four top-of-the-line regs. It is...

They won't. Titanium is a superior to brass, stainless steel, monel, and almost any other alloy in marine environments. Titanium's limitations are few, and its only significant drawback is its price, which I might add will someday fall to a level that will make it very widespread in all...

When it comes to looking cool in the water, I think it would be hard to beat swimming around with a giant claymore strapped to your back. I think you can even find modern reproductions in stainless steel. Oh, and stick a laser on your head! However, to be a bit more pragmatic, I suggest you buy...