"Blackout Tools"

[Jtels85]

I'm sure by now everyone has seen the "Blackout" Klein screwdriver set being offered at Lowe's. It got me thinking... I like the concept of the blacked out tools. It would be cool to see black handle, black shank screwdrivers and maybe black oxidized pliers. I have a set of old Craftsman Industrial black wrenches and black Professional screwdrivers. Hi-Vis seems kind of played out at this point.

Some people would complain that it would be hard to find the tool if you drop or lose it, but regardless of that fact, I think the idea is kind of cool. What do some of you think?

 

[cody1325]

Saw the blackout screwdriver set at Lowe's today. I liked them. Only reason I didn't buy it is I'm mostly going with V-Series and CAT/Williams for replacing my mixed bag of worn-out drivers from the '50s-present (save for the two Macs in PH2 and T20 that I ALWAYS grab first).

I am buying the linesman's, however. Love the etch on them as well.

I'm bad for losing my tools, but it's not something a red/yellow/orange surface won't fix. Heck, I use an orange UTV tailgate as my garage workbench when I don't want to drag small outdoor power equipment to my bench.

 

[CoogarXR]

I personally prefer colorful tools. Not so much hi-viz neon stuff (it shows dirt too easy), just chrome metal and colored grips.

I guess I'm old-school like that.

 

[mikey03]

I seen some old tools my uncle got that has a real nice black oxide patina on them. Not from the factory but they rusted in just the right way and absorbed oil and it looks sweet and keeps it from getting rusted.

I always wondered if there was a way to do that to my tools other than leave them in a garage for 30 years and lightly reoil them every few months

 

[CS454]

Treated myself to a host of Gray Tools black oxide a while back.

 

[four.cycle]

I always wondered if there was a way to do that to my tools

@mikey03 - I had fairly successful results on a Utica adjustable wrench. See this post and then post #27 just below.

 

[mikey03]

If you go on the Milwaukee tool subreddit and wade through all of the posts of people who got packouts for 80% off this weekend on the glitch, or mad about Home Depot cancelled their 80% off orders or mad about scalpers who bought truckloads of packouts at 80% off and lost on market place, get through those posts and most of the rest of the posts are people dying their milwaukee tools black with rit dye

they take it apart and put the plastic shell in rit dye and the white logo doesn’t accept dye so it’s black and white and looks real sweet. I’m tempted to do it myself but I’m not that much of a hipster and sometimes I resell my tools when I get a newer model.

 

[AEAdam]

It’s a bad idea. Tools don’t follow fashion trends. For automotive it can be dangerous. Even desert tan is dumb in my opinion. I’ve spent money to get away from black tools.

That said, I have “industrial finished” tools in my machine shop. They are a bit impractical because rust is an issue. I tend not to lose things in my machine shop.

I would recommend against black tools.

 

[yatg]

Because its cool ??? ...
Pretty lights in a transparent computer case.
A superbird spoiler on a Honda Accord.

 

[tarbellb]

Black tools inside a black Pack out tub....

these fools are never gonna find their ****

 

[JSutter]

I'd rather have different colors. I know exactly what my orange and gray or red and clear nut driver are. I have no idea which torx I need because all 3 look exactly the same and are almost identical in size. Identifying by color is far simpler and quicker. All black is the worst especially when out in the sun.

 

[budget76]

That said, I have “industrial finished” tools in my machine shop. They are a bit impractical because rust is an issue. I tend not to lose things in my machine shop.

yep, I find all my black oxide stuff, as a homeowner, tends to get some rust on it from humidity. maybe not an issue in climate controlled shops or oily/greasy work but i keep my stuff somewhat clean.

have gone to using a matte clear spraypaint on my black oxide stuff to prevent the rust

 

[AEAdam]

Because its cool ??? ...
Pretty lights in a transparent computer case.
A superbird spoiler on a Honda Accord.

Sounds like a generational divide right there.

My esthetic is my esthetic but note in your examples none of those are functional. The point at which your esthetic detracts from function is the point where my generation says yours is doomed.

Tools don’t have to be ugly, but they must be functional. I think the function of black oxide finished tools is lower cost and elimination of the possibility of chrome contamination. I chose them for the lower cost.

 

[KnurledNut]

Treated myself to a host of Gray Tools black oxide a while back.

Loving that knurled handle.

 

[KnurledNut]

Not technically in the blackout club, but Husky does some black ratchets.

 

[mikey03]

Black tools inside a black Pack out tub....

these fools are never gonna find their ****

Those tools aren’t for toolin‘ there for photographing on social media

 

[B Halverson]

I have a Craftsman screwdriver that is florescent orange. Not because it was Barbie's or someone's fashion accessory, but because it is easier to find that way in a lot of circumstances in which it may be used.