Screwdriver Question

[Cato]

Question from a noob here:

What is the dark coating on higher end screwdrivers made of? What is it used for?

It seems like teflon, but that would be the opposite of your run of the mill Craftsman screwdrivers with those horizontal ridges, which seem to bite into the screw face more.

 

[ClineWrench]

Funny. I always wondered that too. I imagine its black oxide but I'll be interested in learning for sure what it is.

 

[exmaxima1]

Funny. I always wondered that too. I imagine its black oxide but I'll be interested in learning for sure what it is.

Bingo---black oxide

 

[JBradley500]

And helps the chrome from peeling off.

 

[Cato]

Thank you!

 

[CobraRed]

I believe it's black oxide in place of chrome coating so that it 1. Doesn't change the tolerances of the machining and 2. Usually transmits magnetism better