Chrome Finish vs Black Oxide Finish

When selecting high quality tools, one of the overlooked things to consider is the finish of the tool. While there are several different finishes to choose from, two of the most common are chrome and black oxide. Chrome finish is often added to a tool through the process of electroplating chromium so that it adheres to the metal of the tool, and this helps protect the tool. Black oxide, on the other hand, uses one of several materials and various processes to add a less reflective coating that interferes with the tool’s functionality a bit less. Depending on what you’re using the tool for, you’ll find that each finish has its plusses and minuses as reviewed in this blog.

With Chrome finish, the tool is pretty much immune to corrosion so long at the chrome coating has not been compromised, this of course adds to the longevity of your tool. This coating also makes the tool stronger for the most part. Chrome finished tools, due to how smooth they are, are super easy to clean and maintain. Since they’re so shiny, chrome tools are a lot easier to find when they get lost, all it takes is a flashlight.

The downside to chrome plated tools is that the increased processing and steps to electroplate the chrome leads to increased cost at the time of purchase. While chrome tools are more durable on the whole, they can fall victim to embrittlement occasionally which leads to failure under strain. The smooth chrome finish also, unfortunately, tends to make the tools more slippery when they come into contact with oil or water and the chrome also makes the cutting surfaces less sharp. Lastly, and this is in the eye of the beholder, certain chrome finishes on tools can look a little bit cheap as some lower end tools use chrome to cover up defects in their workmanship.

A black oxide finish on the other hand, has its own plusses and minuses. To start, the finish is a little easier to grip when they become dirty or wet and they’re more resistant to chipping than chrome is and if they chip, they can be easily repaired. Black oxide finish also has a lower cost to apply as the process is a lot less involved than that of chrome. Tools with a black oxide finish also tend to cut a little better than chrome as the shell of chrome often covers and somewhat dulls a cutting surface.

The downsides of a black to a black oxide finish are as follows. To start, the finish is slightly easier to scrape off and if not repaired or periodically oiled, can lead to rust leading to a shorter lifespan. Additionally, while the black finish makes it easier to work with the tools in bright light and during the day, conversely if you drop it in some dark place, it’s going to be harder to find.

As you can see, there are a few things to consider when choosing the finish for your tools. If you’re going to work in a dark garage, maybe chrome is the best option to protect against dings and make it easier to find if dropped. Black oxide on the other hand may work better, if maintained properly, for working outdoors. It might be worth seeing what others doing similar work prefer and then weigh that against the pros and cons listed here.