cool_hardware52
Contributor
If passivation makes 304 stainless perform "very well," then by that logic, wouldn't' the Hollis backplate that's made of 316 stainless AND is electropolished perform extremely well? Especially because the site says electropolishing is "an electrochemical process that is a "super passivator" of stainless steel". I'm just trying to make sense of it all. I know you have to defend your own product at DSS but I'm just trying to find what will work best.
If I need to lift a 500 lbs load is a 10,000 lbs. test rope "better" than a 9500 lbs. rope?
I'm a designer and engineer, not a sales guy. I try to spend my customers money on things that matter and add value. Molded corner grommets on the plates, custom molded wing fitting using Acetal, not ABS. An OPV designed from the ground up to accommodate 3mm cord. 30 mil bladders. Custom molded wing center panel grommets etc. I've always resisted "buzz word" features that sell based on the buyer not understanding why they should care (or not care).
DSS produces ~95% of the goods we sell in house. For the plate we do the design, waterjet cutting, hand finishing, machine finishing, forming and overmolding. For wings we do the design, cut and sew, RF welding of the bladders. We also produce the required RF welding dies. We injection mold and machine the wing fittings, elbow and all of the elastomeric sewn on details on the wing. We also produce the required molds. This is unique in the industry. It allows DSS to offer wings with features nobody can.
The temptation to offer goods that appeal to the "pre purchase perception" can be strong, but fortunately we are in a position to produce and sell what better serves the "post purchase reality"
Tobin
---------- Post added March 20th, 2015 at 08:04 PM ----------
The reality today is that it's pretty hard to buy a "bad" BP&W. Pretty much all BP&W's have far more in common with each other particularly when compared to their alternative. As long as you avoid the BP&W packages that attempt to turn a BP&W back into a jacket BC with dodads, gizmo's and needless extras that overtime take up residence in your "no longer needed" pile you can't really go too far wrong.
While I encourage research there are many things in life that require you buy one and use before you can appreciate "exactly" what you want in the next one you buy.
Look at the options available for a custom DUI dry suit. The reality is despite mentors, and research etc. the 2nd suit you spec out will be different from your first because only by diving with it can you fully appreciate some of the available choices.
Tobin