Heraldric Question

[Luis R. Ramos]

Rather than reactivate the recent but now old thread about squadron patches, I decided to start a new question.

The pamphlet on Air Force Heraldry does not mention what is black. Is black a color or a metal?

If for instance, two silver swords are touching, must (should) one of them or both be edged in black? (Heraldry rule, no metal on metal or color on color)

If we want the field divided by canton alternating black, red, black, red is this OK?

Flyer

[lordmonar]

I think you are putting too much thought into this.

[Eclipse]

Reminds me of the conversation I had with someone about airplane tires in a patch.

"We have to research the meaning behind black in the tires."

Me: "The tires are black because airplane tires are black."

[Luis R. Ramos]

Lord-

I guess I want to compete with you for the "Too much free time award." 

Eclipse-

That day you forgot that traditionally all tires - bikes, cars, the road tires that tanks use, are black, so airplane tires must be black as well... 

Flyer

[Eclipse]

In the grand tradition which hearkens back to the days of Roman Chariots!

[arajca]

In heraldry, there are two metals - Argent (silver/grey) and Or (gold). Everything else is a color, including black.

From what I've seen, a black outline is not considered a separate color, rather it is considered part of the device it outlines.

[flyboy53]

Without looking at the guidance, here's some info:

Black for heraldry terms is called a tincture for metal and is identified by the color "sable."

Now, from a historian's heraldry perspective, metals cannot touch, so I would not add a sable outline to show the difference. In practice, however, I'm sure you can find plenty of examples of just that.

Another thing about black outlines to consider is if that will influence the cost of the emblem. Sometimes it's better to go without.

[Eclipse]

Any company worth dealing with these days is using at least a 16-thread machine, so basic colors should not
add to the price.

[flyboy53]

Any company worth dealing with these days is using at least a 16-thread machine, so basic colors should not
add to the price.

True, but isn't cost based on the number of colors and the complexity of the design?

[a2capt]

Except it's gotten to the point that competitiveness dictates that "typical" colors and complexity are just priced accordingly.

[bflynn]

Rather than reactivate the recent but now old thread about squadron patches, I decided to start a new question.

The pamphlet on Air Force Heraldry does not mention what is black. Is black a color or a metal?

If for instance, two silver swords are touching, must (should) one of them or both be edged in black? (Heraldry rule, no metal on metal or color on color)

If we want the field divided by canton alternating black, red, black, red is this OK?

Flyer

As stated before, black is a color. 

The issue with metal/metal and color/color is that you don't want things to blend together.  If you mix your background red and black then at a distance it's all going to turn into a kind of mucky red.  Generally that is undesirable in heraldry because the intent is provide a distinctive device clearly identifiable at a distance. Is it "OK"?  Ok with who?  With the rules and intent of heraldry, no.  But whose says you must follow the rules.  If you want mucky red, then do it.

I'm not sure what you mean by "by canton".  The only phrase I recognize from heraldry is "in canton", meaning a 1/9th square in the upper left of the device.