Pentac had some bad plating runs a few years ago because the plating company they were using burned down and the new plater hadn't gotten the finish right. At least that's what Sarah told me. The last order I received was good and I believe they've worked the kinks out. There is no better winter steelhead spoon than the BC Steel. It has sharper angles than the others and therefore has more action in the current.
Regarding affordability of spoons, ordering them in bulk is the only way to go if you fish them a lot. I pay about half what I see them going for in the stores. Makes it easier to let them bang the rocks where the fish are hiding!