Has anyone used CIM Gunmetal?

[Donna@Rockin' Beads]

Katie, they're lovely. Just what I was hoping to get from CIM Gunmetal.
Has anyone heard what's happening with the dud batch?

[Kathy Seamands]

Thanks for your patience as I tested my way through this issue.

We have determined that melting entirely from batch produces Gunmetal that is comparable to the regular Gunmetal batch released in the marketplace in the States. 

If we mix cullet with batch then it should be labeled Unique Gunmetal to communicate that its reactive qualities are lessened.  The batch that we shipped to Tuffnell Glass should have been labeled 511885-1 Unique Gunmetal.
 
I have posted Messy testers' feedback and working tips to our site here: http://www.creationismessy.com/color.aspx?id=70. The working tips for regular Gunmetal apply also to the 511885-1 Unique Gunmetal batch.

Please note that Gunmetal is not a "magic" glass that will work for everyone.  Even the batch that was being raved about in the US as "easy to strike" had 25-30% of testers tell me they could not strike it at all.  Whether or not Gunmetal will work for you depends on your particular working style and atmosphere.

I posted photos comparing the 885-1 Unique batch to the regular here: http://www.creationismessy.com/unique.aspx?id=70

Here are more working tips specifically for 511885-1 from our testers which are potentially relevant to the batch that each of you has in hand:
-While Gunmetal (regular) strikes to a matte bronze/gunmetal color, Unique Gunmetal strikes to more of a hematite/silver-black color.   (Pat Frantz suggests the Unique is similar to working DH Triton.)
-Best results are achieved with a neutral to oxidizing flame.
-With both the regular and the Unique, it is difficult to keep the entire surface of the bead struck. Expect "mottling" to occur.
-Unique Gunmetal is harder to strike / takes more time and work than regular Gunmetal.

I hope this information is helpful and will allow you to achieve the look you are going for with Gunmetal, both regular and Unique.  If anyone has photos or feedback to contribute to the content on our Gunmetal and Gunmetal Uniques pages, I would appreciate it if you would send it along for posting. 

I am waiting for feedback from Martin on when and how to ship the Gunmetal replacements.  When I have that information, I will post here.  Thanks again for everyone's patience!

Kathy

[Kaz]

Thanks for keeping us in the loop on this Kathy.
Kazx

[Kathy Seamands]

I just remembered to post a follow up in this thread. Apologies for the delay!  Tuffnell Glass has received 2 different batches of Gunmetal since the previous time of posting. I know Martin has it for sale now.

I would recommend reviewing all the feedback on our Messy Gunmetal page prior to purchase & use:
http://www.creationismessy.com/color.aspx?id=70

Please feel free to email me if you have any questions.
Kathy

[Krysia@No98]

I really like this glass and have played with some from the first batch.  I work on a hot head and found that for me the best way to get the reaction was to hold the glass outside the flame but right at the bottom of the torch.  for me this made the reaction instantaneous.  I am yet to play with the newer stuff even though I have it.

Thank you for the update