Scales - What makes the blackest black?

[adrock1978]

If I rescale a knife and I want the blackest black, either polished or not, do I go with G10, Black Paper, or Black Linen? For reference, I'm using USAknifeMaker.com

 

[knife hunter]

In general, and not based on usaknifemaker, I find paper to be the darkest. Then g1o and linen the least.

 

[t1mpani]

I agree, and then canvas the super-least.

 

[steelnut]

+1 for black paper,
G10 requires more precautions to work with from what I have read....

 

[Last Visible Canary]

Canvas the thickest fibers that fray at the edges, creating a paler surface, and you see more of the epoxy which has a greenish hue (like the jade green g10 you see at usaknifemaker). The g10 has a texture to it, you can see the layers of fabric and the lines are very slightly lighter in color then the colored epoxy. It's not much, but it keeps it from being "pure black". The paper micarta on the otherhand is completely free from texture, it's paper base has no lines of fabric to show, it's like a paper slurry mixed with epoxy - consistent in it's blackness.

The only thing I've seen from busse that might be considered "blacker" may be the pure epoxy/acrylic polymer/whatever they use found in roenman's alligator tooth custom. I think that black paper has a better 'reflective blackness', where the pure epoxy has a deeper semi-translucent blackness.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-the-Fence-About-This-One?highlight=alligator

 

[Last Visible Canary]

from rbmcmjr:
black paper, canvas, g10

 

[adrock1978]

consistent in it's blackness.

This is the only thing I took away from all that... Hahaha. Just kidding. Thanks! The photos help too. So the G10 isn't as black but will naturally have more texture? Texture = more grip?

 

[Last Visible Canary]

yeah. The black paper is one of the slickest of the materials, it gives little purchase and doesn't take up as much of a grit pattern from sanding. With g10 you can hit it with some 60 grit sand paper and it will feel like your holding the bottom of a coffee mug, really gritty and grippy. If you do the same thing with paper it will still feel slicker then the g10.

 

[Handwrecker]

"It's like, how much more black could this be? And the answer is none. None more black."

 

[adrock1978]

"It's like, how much more black could this be? And the answer is none. None more black."

Awesome reference. I need a knife that goes to 11.

 

[BlackKnight86]

In general, and not based on usaknifemaker, I find paper to be the darkest. Then g1o and linen the least.

Hey, T! Does the black paper fade at all with time and handling? I had thought I read somewhere that it can show a hint of green over time?

 

[drbarnes]

Wesley Snipes!

 

[J. Oeser]

Hey, T! Does the black paper fade at all with time and handling? I had thought I read somewhere that it can show a hint of green over time?

I can answer this having had my fair share of black paper. It can appear lighter even on a brand new knife if it is allowed to dry out. I can take my CABSLE and wash it with dish soap, dry it and it looks lighter with a greyish green tint. Just apply some mineral oil or WD-40 and it's good as new. Usually it will stay sufficiently oiled just with use and being in contact with your hand but some times you have to oil it up.

The knives in this picture range in age from the first black paper Busse's to the most recent and I can tell you that every single one of them was black as can be. Not sure how they look now though since most of them are gone. :foot:

Still have these ones though and they are nice and black. (the lighting is playing tricks but they really are all black)

 

[Hooker]

If you have canvas scales you could allways try Fiebing's USMC Black Leather Dye. Put some on my Rodent Solution and it is holding up very well as my every day work knife.