G10 Liner Advice; why is the color darker after installation?

[Gray Dog]

I picked up some light green translucent G10 liner material at the Blade Show for a re-handle project on an old carving knife for my brother in law. I sandwiched the translucent green G10 between some black garolite I bought from MacMasterCarr and some Cocobolo on the outside. So the stack up is; blade steel / black garolite / light green G10 / Cocobolo.

I've finished the handle up to 600 grit but have not applied any final finish, everything went together with G-Flex epoxy.

The part the stumps me is... after installation, I was hoping the green G10 would be much lighter and would pop between the black on one side and the dark wood on the other.

The green G10 came out dark gray, what did I do wrong?

Thanks, Bob

 

[PEU]

I think its because you are seeing it transparent thru the thickness. Looking from the sheet side, and worst, with dark materials on both sides, I think it would look exactly the same as your knife.


Pablo

 

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There is no light shining through

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Put a bright light on the other side and it will look green. Right now it transfers too little light to look any color but what is next to it.

Solid colors are far better choices for liners.

 

[Gray Dog]

I think its because you are seeing it transparent thru the thickness. Looking from the sheet side, and worst, with dark materials on both sides, I think it would look exactly the same as your knife. Pablo

Thanks Pablo, I understand my translucent liner is picking up the darker colors from the opposing sides. Got it.

There is no light shining through

123... Thanks. Next time I'll put the translucent material on top.

Put a bright light on the other side and it will look green. Right now it transfers too little light to look any color but what is next to it. Solid colors are far better choices for liners.

Stacy, I could have sworn I've seen one of Andy Roys knives with a green translucent, transparent, jade like liner matl. After getting some advice here I suspect he may have sandwiched his green between white liners to pull in the lightness. Thanks, Bob

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

The "ghost green" G-10 that is normally seen is best used as a solid handle material instead of as a liner. It also looks more translucent than it actually is.