Stephen,
I used to use Hypalon with fencing wire run down the guts of the hypalon with a #3-7 ball sinker just to save bucks. They caught fish though weren't pretty or as user-friendly as most lures that have evolved in the last few years.
I can save money, though I would say I'd get my butt kicked by someone who uses a better-made lure. I don't have a full game fishing season like in 2004 to fish the whole Great Barrier Reef system to hope my back yard wonders will compare.
I'm in the process of using a heap of Halco's, Bills Bugs, Surface Bulls & Dumbells for daisy chains when marlin/wahoo/spaniard fishing instead of pulling them apart on PE10 on a big G....
Brock,
Keep me posted on the S/S blades....keen to hear their pitch & see the flash too!
Aaron.