Swisstool Terminology

[Kidder]

Hi,
I was browsing a few sites and on one site they called the black swisstool anodized, and on another site, oxidized.  Is there a difference?

Thanks,

Kidder

[J-sews]

I see the term used interchangably, but that's not quite correct.

Black oxide is a process done to steel. It changes the surface of the steel itself, with no build-up. Think of it as a super intense layer of black rust. This is what the SwissTool has.

Anodize is a process done to aluminum and titanium. It can either be hard anodize (black, so hard you can't scratch it with a file, Leatherman Charge AL and ALX are good examples) or decorative anodize (pretty colors, easily scratched, Leatherman Juice series tools for example.) Anodizing does alter the surface molecules of the metal, but it also builds up a slight amount, like plating.

Anyhow, that's the layman's explanation of the differences between the two. Our resident metalurgist JoeBW may be by with more details. 
Hope this makes sense,
Bob

[Viper]

For the record, I'm pretty sure that the Swisstool is black oxidized.