Very true Eric, the Drennan Ti wire is at least partly responsible for the bad reports. But others of various types have failed according to what i've read, when i say failed i don't mean the wire slipping through the crimps, that is user failure. I mean the actual wire breaking.
The one that stands out as a good Ti wire is the AFW that you use, i've read no bad reports about it at all, AFW is what i've used too.
Titanium is stronger than steel and has different properties to steel. I worked in engineering, i'm a mechanical fitter by trade and worked in research and development for GEC for a good few years, but i have no experience with Titanium. Plus am i correct in saying that Ti leaders aren't 100% Titanium, pretty sure they're made up of a percentage of Ti plus other metal?
An Uncle of mine built parts for planes and used Titanium, they used to x-ray the parts made of Ti for fractures, it was 100% Titanium though.
So i admit i know little about the stuff, but it is a very popular trace material and some rate it very highly, others don't rate it.
Maybe it needs further investigation, what types are safe and what aren't?
I don't blame you for using and recommending AFW , lots do and give it 100%.
Phil.