Stainless Steel (SS) hardware
- silver in colour
- high strength (stronger than nickel plated option)
- durable
- withstands exposure to salt water and chlorine better than nickel plated hardware
- rinse with freshwater after exposure to salt water or chlorine
- rust resistant
- can tarnish and leave darks marks on webbing, paracord and light coloured fur
- more expensive than plated hardware
Solid Brass (BR) hardware
- gold in colour
- will not rust
- will patina over time (thin layer of grey to greenish-blue corrosion)
- patina may discolour light-coloured webbing or fur
- discolouration can be washed off with soap and water
- durable
- most expensive option
Nickel Plated (NP) hardware
- silver in colour
- Zinc cast plated with nickel
- resists corrosion, but is more likely to rust than SS or BR hardware
- plating can wear off over time, showing the metal underneath
- not recommended if you often expose your accessories to the elements
- lightweight
- least expensive option