Two Black Mason Stains

[MMB]

So being Im broke and trying to work with what I have Im going to try a few different avenues. I have a ton of Highwaters orange stone. I also have some local clay Im going to use as a slip, terra cotta color of course. So anyways I wanted to just utilize what I have and contrast a bit between the different tones of earthenware colors with some white and black accents. I have some Bringles all purpose slip that I mixed up a while back as my "white" inclusion. I recently picked up two 1/4 pound portions of Masons Best Black Stain and their Onyx Black Stain to trial run with. I was wondering has anyone used that slip recipe as a good base for stain inclusions?

 

The recipe I used was:

 

EPK 20
OM 4 20 -or XX Saggar
Neph syen 25
Silica 30
Gerst Bor 5
Bentonite 2

 

+10% Mason stain

 

I also considering using this as my clear glaze, considering it fits well in the end. Got it from digifire. I liked their remarks of its over all strength.

 

Plainsman Cone 6 M370

neph sy 18.30

ferro frit 3134   25.40

epk 19.60

wollan   6.90

silica  37.60

talc   2.3

 

Just trying to find recipes that have what I have, sometimes it seems like a good choice then I realize Im missing the last ingredient. In my limited knowledge Im not sure if Ill have issues with the black stain slip. I know Ive had Amacos black underglaze go blue because of the cobalt. I thought of formulating a black slip because I have more Manganese Dioxide than anyone really should but I dont feel comfortable with the "dangers" and questions as to whether its food safe etc.

[bciskepottery]

I've used the Bringle slip, with oxides -- not stains -- for salt firing. The potter I salt fire with does use Mason stains in some of her Bringle slips. I've used Best Black (6600) with a white porcelain slip and it fires black.

 

Both Best Black and Onyx have cobalt in them; Mason makes two blacks -- 6650 and 6666 that are cobalt-free.

 

http://www.masoncolor.com/ceramic_RefGuide.asp