'Brass' and 'all-brass' faucets can be made of separate individual brass pieces that are then soldered together to make the faucet guts (what is below the pretty trim piece that you see). The pieces can be made thinner and the final faucet thus has less material in it and costs less, especially with overseas assembly these days. Such faucets I have been able to bend in my hands.

The casting process that produces a 'cast brass' faucet results in a one-piece assembly for the faucet guts. The casting process can't be controlled to make thin parts, so the final part is thicker, heavier, stronger and more costly. The guts of cast faucets are strong, durable assemblies, and are typically found in higher quality hardware.

formula1: thanks. Not much cast brass around, at least that I can find. Found some $1,000. plus Euro brands. And, also found an American Standard I really like. Very plain styling, but suits my style. Ceramic discs, cast brass. About $100. at the online discounters and that makes me think something is wrong.

Is there a problem with American Standard faucets?

Now that Amer. Standard "Colony Soft" faucet I'm looking at says "cast brass waterway". So is this ad hype? Does it mean the innards are not all cast brass--but just the waterway is?

And I wonder if the cast vs. just brass parts will make a difference? Will other parts of the faucet wear out long before the assembled brass type faucets create some kind of problem? Jeez.