I think that Vic dropped the red markings as a result of the contract it received from the French govt. several years ago to supply its military for its new FELIN system w/the SwissTool (3.0323.3CN) modified w/an explosive crimper in the pliers' head & in black oxide. (I don't think the military would be very happy w/bright red & white markings on its equipment.) I believe the same was done for the Aussie military. This may have prompted the company to standardize all the SwissTools the same way.
I like the looks of the shield engraved in the plier head, but I like the scale engraving better than the paint, so my ideal would be a combination of both.
I just bought a tool and it has the sheild still, so I am not convinced they dropped the shield. Perhaps they just don't care if the plier is made of two part without shields since the handles have the shield. Is that possible, that the back head of plier could be used for both sides? then it would have no shield.
RE FILEAs u know I have the old and new tool: one with red paint mark and shield and one not. The file on both these are however exactly the same and the tooth goes right up to the tip and the coarseness are the same.