The subtitle for this thread should be "Why it's getting so hard to buy American".

A number of Crappie.com members (not as many as I'd like, but we're working on that ) use my bobbers. Even if you don't, I'd like your feedback on a problem I'm having.

I have always prided myself on sourcing American. All of the components of the ESB are made in the USA, except the glass bead, which is Japanese. I just wasn't able to find a good American source for glass beads. Anyway, the brass grommet in the distal end of the ESB has always been made by a US company that claims to be the largest eyelet maker in the world. On 2 occasions I have purchased large quantities of a specific brass eyelet from them. They now tell me that my eyelet is no longer a stock item and, if I want them, I have to pay for a production run of half a million at considerable cost.

It turns out that they have a good quantity of another, more common, eyelet that will work size wise. This eyelet, however, is made of aluminum alloy. Assuming that the alloy has a hardness comparable with the brass I'm using now (or I won't use it), here are the questions. What would be your preferred material? Which metal would corrode less in salt water?

And here's another thing. A trip through Alibaba has shown me that Chinese companies will line up to sell me brass eyelets. I don't want to but I may not have a choice.

All opinions are welcome, and thanks.