I concur Teresa, bare aluminum has been in my pocket for months with keys, change, nuts and bolts, etc. I think it looks even better now with a burnished look. I hate to see what a painted one would look like. I love this little, inexpensive thing. The wattage steps are a bit large. But the .1 steps on my Sig 100 is a little ridiculous as well. I enjoy a kayfyn lite with a 1.5 OHM, cotton build @ 20 watts all day long.