Metal Finishes — Performance Meets Preservation
The finish of your putter is more than a cosmetic choice—it’s a performance statement.
The right finish can elevate your confidence on the green, reflect your personal style, and make every putt feel like your best. Some players prefer muted, non-reflective tones that reduce glare and sharpen alignment. Others gravitate toward bold, eye-catching finishes that turn heads and express their individuality.
Beyond aesthetics, a finish plays a critical role in protecting your putter and influencing its feel, glare reduction, and long-term durability. Different metals react uniquely to heat, oxidation, and plating processes, and some require protective coatings to prevent rust, wear, and surface degradation. Choosing the right finish is the first step in creating a putter that performs flawlessly and looks exceptional for years to come.
Traditional Japanese Brown
*carbon steel
Traditional Deep Black
*carbon steel
Honey Bronze
*all metals
Forged Black
*stainless steel
Tour Torched
*stainless
Chromatic Bronze
*stainless
Nickel Plated
*all metals
Understanding the Base Metals
Before selecting a finish, you must know your putter’s material:
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Carbon Steel (Soft Carbon)
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Highly responsive feel, a glass like feel — preferred by players who want feedback on every strike.
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Naturally prone to rust if left untreated.
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Requires oxide coating or nickel plating for corrosion resistance.
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Stainless Steel (303 / 304L grades)
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More resistant to corrosion than carbon steel.
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Can be finished with oxides, anti-glare tour blast, or left raw.
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Will not develop patina like carbon steel — holds a cleaner look over time.
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What We Don’t Work On
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Aluminum, brass, and permanent face insert designs cannot be refinished or customized in our shop. Uncertain? Send us an email contact@rushkane.com with photos of your putter.
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Oxide Finishes (Starting at $260)
Oxide finishes chemically bond to the surface of the steel, penetrating the top layer to create a micro-thin protective coat. Oxides do not “build up” material — meaning they preserve milling lines and surface texture.
Options:
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Traditional Deep Black (Carbon Steel) – Achieved through hot black oxide, creating a deep, rich tone with low glare.
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Honey Bronze (All Metals) – Produces a golden hue, most striking on stainless but available for carbon.
Performance Notes:
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Oxides wear naturally over time, developing character as they age.
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Best maintained with regular cleaning and light oil application on carbon builds.
Premium Oxide Finishes (Starting at $340)
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Forged Black (Stainless Steel) – Special stainless-compatible oxide, darker than standard media blasting without affecting precision milling.
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Traditional Japanese Brown (Carbon Steel) – Brown oxide with warm highlights, offering a classic, vintage aesthetic.
Nickel Plating (Starting at $220 with multiple mods)
Nickel plating is a metal-on-metal bond created through electroplating. Unlike oxides, nickel plating adds an additional protective layer to the putter.
Why Choose Nickel Plating:
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Extremely durable against corrosion and weather.
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Smooth, slick surface feel — excellent for those who prefer a crisp impact.
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Ideal for players in coastal or high-humidity climates.
Options:
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Bright Nickel – Mirror-like finish, luxury aesthetic, highest reflectivity.
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Satin Nickel – Brushed, non-glare surface, preferred for competitive play.
Performance Notes:
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Slightly changes the acoustics of carbon steel (a touch sharper).
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Adds ~.0005” to .001” thickness — important for tight spec tolerances.
Specialty Finishes
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Tour Torched Finish (Starting at $350) – Multi-color iridescence achieved by precise heat cycling. Every piece is unique. Cannot be paired with stamping deletes due to heat process requirements.
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Chromatic Bronze Finish (Starting at $280) – A true heat-tinted stainless oxide finish that transforms the steel to a deep bronze with subtle iridescent tones. Cannot be paired with stamping delete due to heat process requirements.
Standard Finish
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Anti-Glare Tour Finish – A finely media-blasted surface included with all custom stainless builds. Ideal for bright playing conditions.