Ridgewing prototype Serial #4 marked a departure from the steam punk black & brass look of the first prototypes. This was the first prototype with die-cast aluminum frames, so to better match the frosted silvery look, the bridge saddle was made out of titanium instead of brass.

Commonly available titanium alloys are Grade 2 and Grade 5. The price of the Grade 2 titanium used for this saddle is roughly 3X that of brass, so a 1/8” x 1/2” x 3” titanium saddle blank runs about $4 if you get a 24” strip and cut it up. Grade 2 titanium is 99% pure and is good for welding. Grade 5 titanium, an alloy with aluminum and vanadium, is the most commonly used type of titanium with 3X the strength of Grade 2 and also about 3X the price.

Because the word “titanium” carries connotations of exotic origin, ultimate strength and high price, the marketing departments of a number of consumer product manufacturers add the word “titanium” to their product description, whether there is any titanium in it or not, and if there is, whether it performs any useful function. But titanium is not a magical wonder material, for example high-strength titanium is roughly as cold-rolled steel. But titanium really shines as an engineering material when low weight and high corrosion resistance are required. Also its non-magnetic property makes it a favorite for surgical implants and Russian submarine hulls.