The invention is to friction rolls for working elongate members, e.g., webs or strands, such as crimper rolls, draw rolls, yarn package drive rolls comprising a roll having a generally cylindrical external surface and a ceramic, e.g., alumina, mixtures of alumina and titania, chromia, zirconia, or metallic carbide, e.g., tungsten carbide, coating bonded to the external surface, the coating being laser-engraved, that is, having a plurality of laser-formed depressions having a pattern covering substantially the entire exterior working surface of the roll and providing a uniform, wear-resistant surface texture over substantially the entire working surface.