I'm with you there! I don't have a bandsaw yet, but it's been on the list for a while.
You should check, I believe they have went to a lifetime warranty if purchased after a certain date.
I pretty much have at least one of most every major brand of chucks (no easy change jaw chucks) including the SK114. I prefer my 4 Oneways (2 SH's & 2 T's) for most applications ... my go-to chucks. Never had a problem with rust (don't often turn wet wood) even though my basement shop can get very humid sometimes. Tool rests, bed ways, etc., occasionally have a light coating of rust ... but not my chucks.
I've been looking at the "A" jaw simply because axminster said it is a little bigger than a "C" and you can get the face plate rings with it. I don't know, I've been getting by using the "C" jaws and rings on some pretty big chunks of green wood.
I didn't do it because they were more expensive that's for sure. I wanted the stainless steel because of the green wood I was turning at the time. I don't like the keys that have the teeth on the end either. Ones with the allen shape would have been ok but I think axminster is the only all stainless and I like buying things only once. These I'm sure will last me the rest of my life.
I've only had my "g" jaws for a few days but I'm really liking them. I've finish turned several bowls so far. For me it's easier to true up a tenon and not have to worry about getting the dovetail angle just right especially with the tailstock in the way.
That’s a big set of jaws. Are you turning big bowls?
Sometimes, it's just approx a 3.5 inch/90mm tenon at the perfect circle of the jaws. I'm pretty confident that a bowl won't go flying if something unexpected happens. Unless the tenon breaks off but I can make it longer. Another nice thing about the gripper jaws, they are deeper than the "c". Couple of times I have turned a bowl around and I didn't make the tenon short enough for the "c" jaws. More leeway this way.
Currently $390....
I know, they went up in price right after I saw the sale.
My sister gifted me with another sk114 the other day. Body only but since it had the slides with it and all my other jaws I have bought slides for because of the reason you mention. I have an extra set now. Means I better figure out another set of jaws to go with them! What do you think would be the handiest? I already have the O'donnells, G-H gripper, M and C. Probably all my bases are covered. Maybe a colossus jaw but then I would need a bigger chainsaw to cut the blanks......Where does it STOP?