Rogue Ohio Bar – Black Oxide

Rogue Ohio Bar – Black Oxide

The Rogue Ohio Bar is one of the most popular multipurpose bars on the market and it comes in multiple variations at various price points. This particular version uses a black oxide shaft/black oxide sleeves, and it’s one of the more economical offerings in terms of price in this line at $295.

Equipped with a 28.5mm shaft, dual knurl marks, and bronze bushings, the Black Oxide Ohio Bar is built for a variety of lifts, ranging from Olympic lifts to power lifts.

Here are some further details about the bar:

Knurling

The knurling on the Ohio Bar is medium in terms of feel due to a shallower depth and a flatter surface. This creates a balanced-feel that works on many lifts. It’s particularly nice on higher rep/volume training. It’s not going to offer much of a bite, so on heavier lifts, chalk or straps may be necessary. Most users report very favorably on the knurl pattern – the black oxide version in particular gets great feedback.

With Black Oxide being a conversion coating, it doesn’t impact the knurl depth at all. Compared to a bar with an applied coating (black zinc, hard chrome, etc…), it will feel superior. In fact, it will feel very similar to a stainless steel or bare steel bar.

The Ohio Bar does not come with center knurl, which makes it comfortable in a variety of positions. On the other hand, it won’t provide any tactile feel when performing a back squat, for instance. Dual knurl marks indicate that this is a true multi-purpose bar.

Shaft

This bar has a 28.5mm shaft, which is a very common diameter for a multi-purpose bar. This creates a shaft that blends whip and rigidity into something that plays well with everything from powerlifting to weightlifting. The Ohio Bar offers a 190,000 PSI tensile strength, putting it right in the wheelhouse for a multi-purpose bar.

The black oxide shaft will provide a great feel, but you’ll want to maintain the bar with oil to mitigate oxidation. 

Sleeves

The sleeves on the Black Oxide Ohio Bar are grooved and they’re also finished in Black oxide. Black oxide isn’t a very common sleeve finish, but it’s a cost effective coating. Over time you may notice some surface rust, so it’s recommended that you oil the sleeves on occasion. Regarding the grooves, the benefit is that they tend to keep plates in place better than smooth sleeves if/when you’re not using collars. The downside, however, is that they make a loud zip noise in comparison when sliding plates on and off.

The sleeves rotate using bronze bushings, which differs slightly from the composite bushings on the Cerakote and Stainless Steel versions of the Ohio Bar. Still, this bar will offer a smooth and steady spin.

Aesthetics

Aesthetically, the Black Oxide Ohio Bar will look great early on its life. As time goes by, however, black oxide will eventually allow some oxidation to creep in. How much depends on your maintenance of the bar. It’s a good idea to oil this bar from time-to-time with 3-in-1 oil or similar, especially if you train in a humid environment. This will help keep the bar looking good for longer. With this bar also having black oxide sleeves, it’s recommended to also oil the surface of the sleeves.

The end caps on the Ohio Bar are classic, and I think they’re one of the best in the game. The outline of Ohio with “R” in the center is a refined look, and it pops on the red background.

Features & Highlights

• Black Oxide – Black Oxide is one of my personal favorite finishes due to its excellent feel in the hands and how well it takes chalk. Surface rust will eventually show up on a black oxide surface, so just keep this in mind. Oil will help mitigate oxidation, but it won’t prevent it.
• 28.5mm Shaft – The 28.5mm shaft on the Rogue Black Oxide Ohio Bar is comfortable in the hands and provides a nice balance between rigid and whippy, making it ideal for a variety of lifts.
• Grooved Sleeves – The grooved sleeves will tend to keep the plates on the bar better than a smooth sleeve when not using collars, but they will also be louder.
• No Center Knurl – The Rogue Black Oxide Ohio Bar does not offer a center knurl, which is useful on high rep training sessions and/or in cases where a lifter wants a more comfortable bar.
• American Made – This bar is 100% made in America.

What They’re Saying at Roguefitness.com

The Rogue Black Oxide Ohio Bar receives very positive feedback from users. With an average rating of 4.9/5, here are some of the things they have said at roguefitness.com:

Positive

• “I’ve had the Ohio Bar in Black Oxide for just over a year and it has been excellent. I use it for everything, as it’s the only barbell I own. I followed other reviewers advice saying if you were only ever going to own one barbell, this is the one, and after a year of using it 2-4 times per week, I have to say I agree. Although it is starting to get a little too whippy for my preference on squats over 450, so I’ll probably be getting the Ohio Power Bar soon as I continue to progress on powerlifting movements”
• “I’ve been using this bar several times per week, with several hundred pounds loaded on. 0 complaints whatsoever. The double line on the knurling is great for spacing, and the knurling itself is deep, but not so much that it tears your hands. Good spin, not too much, just the right amount to make things easier to line up.”
• “I bought this bar around 7 years ago with the black oxide shaft/sleeves (or was it the zinc?). I needed a quality, all-around bar, and it does not disappoint. I live in Los Angeles, have only cleaned it once with 3-in-1 oil, and the bar still performs well. It’s not cerakote, but she’s my baby, and I love her just the way she is.”
• “I would say that this is one of the most versatile bars you can own. If you are looking for just one bar that will enable you to do practically everything with it (the olympic lifts, powerlifting, general strength training, etcetera)– I would say go ahead and go with the Ohio Bar. It is stiff enough to perform heavy pressing, pulling and squatting– but it also has enough whip to do the olympic lifts well. It is a very nice compromise between the two lifting styles while providing a reliable spin on the collars. The knurling is perfect, I feel it is one of the best qualities about the bar. It is not too aggressive, but still extremely grippy without biting into your hands, very nice job Rogue. I went with the black oxide and I am very happy with it. I have really enjoyed using it.”
• “I bought this bar about a month ago in black oxide and absolutely love it like anything else I get from rogue. knurling is great, spin is great, and it looks awesome blacked out with the red Ohio ends. Sticking woth rogue for all future barbells.”

Critical

• “The black oxide can be tough to maintain during the humid months, seems like rusting starts up on it pretty easily. I got the barbell maintenance kit from Rouge and use it pretty much weekly during the summer. If I could do it over again, I’d have spent a little more to get the stainless steel version.”
• “If there is one thing i recommend its getting the black zinc instead of the black oxide if you want the black on black look. Ive kept it at my local box but after 5-6 uses it started to rust. Not sure if humidity had anything to do with it even though i was making sure to wipe it down for moisture after every use.”

Garage Gym Lab Review

The Rogue Ohio Bar was a winner in the Garage Gym Lab 2022 Best Barbell Awards.

Other Options

The below barbells were picked as alternatives to the Rogue Black Oxide Ohio Bar.