Activated charcoal or black oxide

[kazmi]

I have black oxide that I haven't used yet but it seems that many here use activated charcoal for a black colorant. Has anyone used both and have a preference? TIA

 

[Barbara AL]

I prefer Charcoal I get a light color in bubbles oxide tends to bleed darker color for me.

 

[MrKleen]

I prefer black oxide for pure color, and when I used charcoal for health benefits I mix in black oxide because I find charcoal is more of a gray than straight up black, even in high concentrations. Don't let it fool you until it hardens, it'll look like pitch black but really be just gray in the end.

 

[soapsydaisy]

You could use little of both. You will get the pitch black color from the oxide and the health benefits of the charcoal.

 

[kazmi]

Thanks! I wasn't sure since I've read both but unlike oil versus water based td, no one ever mentioned a preference or any problems. So I thought I'd better ask.