I bought 4 belts from this company, 3 with titanium buckles and 1 with a graphite buckle. Titanium buckles are far superior to anything else on the market in terms of lightness and high strength. They are carefully thought out and impeccably designed. Nothing else even comes close. But the buckles, although apparently made in China and available on e-bay for a third of the asking price from Nickel-Smart, are just way, way, way (3 times) too expensive. I also have a belt from Nickel-Smart, it appears to be gray so not gray at all but sort of milky brown. I had the same problem with a belt I bought from Hanks Belts.