What black do you use?
 

I'm running really low on black and need to get some more. CiM black is like $36 or $38 a lb. I can get vetro or moretti for like $10 lb. What do you use and why?

That's almost as bad as asking what kind of clear you use :lol:.

I use transparent black for bases, Intense black for effects.

OK I use Intense black for effects too. I guess I'm asking what black for bases or dots or when you don't want an effect like webbing.

In my opinion- Effetre/Moretti or Vetro for bases no problem

Intense black for webbing

CIM is a good replacement for intense when you need stringer and dot work to stay black. It will web- but it takes more heat and webs less. It is not good for effects

Effetre for bases, intense for detail.

Vetro black is good, Intense for effects but for a great black Urobros black never burns it is great.

Ah - yes, true too. I also use Uroboros 96 COE if I need a good black to use
as a base for frit.

THIS IS loco WHOOPS.... SORRY CORRI WAS SIGNED ON!
I use CIM Blackgasm (AKA Hades) I gave away all my intense black and purged the moretti and vetrofond black it's taped up (with blur painters tape!) and collecting dust real well.

I like the Blackgasm because it stays black! The only shadowing I get is when I get it drippy hot for an extended period of time. Ohhh and I work REAL HOT! for soft glass.... Gads I love to see that glass burn!

Ugh, i won' touch Vetro black again. The last 5 pounds I had would shatter in the flame so often I wanted to throw it away. The glass would actually split lengthwise down the rod.

It's Moretti for me.

edz

And as it happens I have a couple of pounds of Vetro black seconds that I picked up for like $5.00 a pound and have not had a lick of trouble out of it, not even boiling. I use it for all my black bases.

I have to agree with Loco on the CIM Hades. It stays black when I need it to, webs when I need it to, is even more reactive with Raku than Lauscha black, and does some other cool things as well. I'll use up the Lauscha that I have, but I'm pretty well stuck on Hades from here on out.

OK So the Hades is getting good reviews. Is it really worth 3 times the cost of moretti black?

Have you ever seen Moretti or Vetro black do this?
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c8.../blueheart.jpg
The base is CIM Hades with a silvered stringer of Coral applied and then the whole thing reduced - and I've been able to reproduce this effect many times. The fact that I can do so many things with this color makes it well worth the extra cost.

I've switched over to CIM Hades too. It doesn't bleed into white like Effetre and it doesn't pit and bubble like the last batch of Vetrofond I got. I haven't tried to reduce it though...Carol, can you just reduce Hades all by itself or does it have to do with a recipe of glass?

OK I'm convinced. I'm getting some!

If you heavily reduce the Hades, it will start to get an iridescent shine to it, but it does best when exposed to silver of some sort. I'll try and post some pictures tomorrow, I've been doing lots of playing with this stuff lately. It also does neat things when pulled into a stringer with silver - like SIS - melted in and then reduced. Once I pull out what is in the kiln, I'll take pix and post them.

ooh, Carol, love that! Off to buy some right now

Ditto!


Monkey see - Monkey do! :happy:

Thanks Carol, I'll have to play with the Hades and some silver colors this week.

I bet Hades and Nyx would be awesome! That is the first thing I'm going to try when the Hades gets here.

I am waiting on my Terra rods and Nyx frit so I can use them with my Hades:)

These are going up in the gallery as well tonight, but wanted to post them here first. This is a silvered Hades stringer, made the same way as SIS then applied to Vetro Lemon Ice, raked and then reduced. This is why I LOVE Hades!
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c8.../Untitled1.jpg

Wow Carol, that's just crazy! I used Hades today but didn't reduce it as I was making pink and black beads but my next torch session I'm reducing it!

Here's a closeup of the focal in the set - I'm trying to figure out how to get the entire bead to look this way - the ultimate "outer space organic":biggrin:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c8...Untitled11.jpg

I am so in love! Did you see the lemon ice and terra beads in the gallery? I ordered lemon ice today. Can't wait to play!

Hades plays GREAT with raku!

Yesterday I have the chance to finally sculpt with Blackgasm (Hades) and it was way too much fun! The glass was sleek and very agreeable, I love the finished work. There was no metal sheen (no fuming) that I seemed to get a lot with the moretti and vetrofond.

Blackgasm (Hades) with Gelly pink:

I made a Hades seashell today.I am gonna etch it tomorrow and see what I get:)

Hades has no issues with being marvered either.

CIM Hades here too - love it!

Carol, I love that swirly focal! Thanks for the Hades hint.

I usually use Vetro black as the base and have been using the Hades for twisties and dots.

Suzanne