brass vs. stainless steel

[CT Sean]

Hey guys, is there really a difference between a $15 Scubapro boltsnap versus a 90¢ one from a hardware store?

Edit:
Just saw jim's post that said that the hardware store clips don't have stainless steel springs.

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Clarification - hardware store clips MAY not have SS springs. I have hardware store clips that I've used for years with 0 signs of corrosion. BUT ones from a hardware store for 90 cents are not going to be SS

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I always bought all of my clips from Randy at Piranha Dive Mfg. Even when I was selling gear. I'd buy in bulk from him and still be able to sell them for less than the other shops around me.

 

[TrimixToo]

I have used brass for years in saltwater. Given a good rinse after the dive....like all your gear should be anyway..I have had no problems with brass. Maybe once a year a shot of some kind of lube in the spring area makes them work a little nicer.

Same here. I use graphite to lube them.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Home Depot has stainless double ender bolt snaps that are 100% stainless, spring and all. I bought a few for urchin game bags and have about a year on them, no problems yet so I’m calling them legit.
They also have nickel plated steel so you have to look at the label. Nickel is $5 ish and stainless is about $14.

 

[Kendall Raine]

If the slide gate isn't properly finished (on many brass and cheap SS bolt snaps) you'll slice your thumb/fingers. Very annoying and potential source of infection. So yes, in addition to use of non-SS springs, there is a difference between good bolt snaps and crap.

 

[happy-diver]

In a dirty section amongst some islands with little tidal movement I got virtually only a paper scratch
which after a few weeks of festering, I really wondered when it was going to become an amputation!

On a rock not a boltsnap