I have a few question for anyone who owns a microscope and uses it to help with there honing.
What make, model and power of microscope are you using?
Did it help you achieve better and or more consistent edges?
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I have a few question for anyone who owns a microscope and uses it to help with there honing.
What make, model and power of microscope are you using?
Did it help you achieve better and or more consistent edges?
Years ago I bought a used B&L stereoscope 30x power. Recently changed the lenses to increase to 45x. I bought it for checking tattooing needles since that is what I do for a living. I use it to check edges before and after honing but mainly use my 30x eye loupe during the session. If you're a honer who focuses on removing scratches from the previous grit I imagine magnification would play a larger role. I ignore that aspect and rely on sharpness tests as I progress and just use the loupe to make sure I'm not getting chipping. Once I've gotten to the level of sharpness I'm looking for I don't really pay attention to what the bevel looks like. My two pence. :)
I use a plastic, hand held 60-100x microscope I bought either on e bay or Amazon. It doesn't have any maker's identification other than "MG 10085 Illuminated Microscope, Zoom 60x-100x." Probably I paid less that $30.00 for it, but I've had it so long I don't recall. It works fairly well, but it's a little hard to move the lens precisely, from place to place on the edge (everything works in reverse), and it's a little hard to focus. Nevertheless, it does the job. I'm looking to move up to a better microscope. Probably a compound 400x with 100x, 200x capability. I think I can buy a Celestron Advanced Biological microscope which suits my needs for a little over $100. I just need to find out what the working distance from the lens to the stage is, so I can be sure I can get the blade under the lens at the power I want to use. I've been meaning to call Celestron to find out, but I haven't got around to it yet. Maybe today. I'll let you know. Dennis
I just got one of those little microscopes to, Not bad for Under $15 at radio shack but like fdennis said hard to focus or keep the aria you want to see in the right spot. I really want to get a digital one there are several out there cheeper than the one I'm interested in the Bodelin Proscope2 but this one seems to be the most versatile. You can get the base unit with one lens for just over $100 and ad lenses latter or get it in a packaged set. I want a packaged set it may be a little over kill for just checking the edge on a razor but I plan on using it to teach my daughter about science and nature.
Here is a link to the site The ProScope HR - The Best High Resolution Handheld USB Digital Microscope | ProScope HR™
Gentlemen, I find those radio shack type microscopes to be a pain in the neck. I bought one off of ebay for twenty bucks as I heard they were better. I think it is a Carson IIRC. It displays the image upside down, the focusing knob is stiff to turn and the optics are inferior. All in all I prefer my 30x eye loupe from Widget Supply. :shrug:
I have a Zeiss hand magnifier which is low power but shows me everything I need to see. I have a Nikon Stereo Microscope I bought ages go for mineral work but it's way overkill for razor work. Whatever you get don't fall for thoe old misconception about magnification. It's the resolution that will allow you to see the details not the mag.
I use a 30X handheld microscope on every razor that I hone. It tells me all that I need to know.
Forget the Radio Shack 60-100.
This is what I use.....
30 x HANDHELD LIGHTED MICROSCOPE for JEWELRY etc & CASE - eBay (item 370326809866 end time Jun-26-10 17:28:46 PDT)
Scopes are great learning tools.
I have a USB m'scope which is great for taking pics for customers but my honing aid is a 8x loupe. The lenses are over 1" diameter so I see plenty :)
I never do a TNT or TPT so I'm totally reliant on visuals.
Vintage leica microscope, the 100x (10x10) magnification is the one I find most useful. I can hone a razor just by looking in the microscope without testing the edge at all. But the resolution I have (the quality optics, not the magnification) is crucial for that.
This week I bought a Veho Discovery Deluxe 400x. They've been greatly reduced in price at Amazon UK. I hope it will be useful for honing.
tryed microscopes i prefer 30k loope under a 50 watt ceiling bulb. i guess it helps if you no exactly what your looking for . i just look for a good bevlel no little chips etc other than that i realy couldf not judge when razor is shave ready through microscope wished i could may be some day .
Funny, I was just about to post this same thing. I got this one: Illuminated Microscope - RadioShack.com
The only thing that's difficult to me is everything is backwards. You have to go up instead of down or right instead of left when moving down the edge of the blade.
I find the light that comes with it do be sufficent, however I have a flashlight I use with it sometimes too.
When do you guys use the scopes? I can see when setting the bevel and such, but do you use it afterwards? I have along the way, just to observe.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rickboone
I use the Radio shack model, it can magnify up tp 100x and has a good focus ring and its cheap! Sometimes you cant see whats going on with the edge and need more info, the microscope will tell you whats going on, it will show the jagged edges, nicks, chips, corrosion and cracks. Not to mention discrepancies in the bevel It will also show to a great degree the keenness and how well the bevel is polished. It is a very necessary tool at times and well worth the little investment.
I have a Veho. Works great and takes both photos and video. Bought it for the kids, but use it in the evenings to check bevel polishing, etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by Piet
Read carefully -- the ones listed close to $100 are the 7+ year old models that don't run on Windows xp or later. (One is a $99 refurb with no lens; one is a $149 refurb with one lens). To get the modern version and just one lens, you are talking $270. I picked up a nice Veho for less than half, and it's been great for young kids (8 and 5), and way more than I need for a razor.Quote:
Originally Posted by gandrw
If anyone is interested in a cheap 'scope try this joint: DealExtreme: Search for microscope (31 products in 5 categories)
I've few from there that appear quite shoddy (plastic build) but are still performing well a year down the track.
They sell tons of cheap crap, but there are a few qualty items mixed amongst them.
Some excellent cigarette lighters, and the best garlic peeler ever invented, all for a few bucks each, with free postage from hong Kong (and it's reasonably quick too).
No affiliation to the site, just worth recommending to others for a look.
ed
I like the idea of a loupe really. Kind of easier. I had one in my photography kit, but probably a 4x. Where's a good place to get one suitable for this?
I use an 8x but it's 30mm wide . Plenty to see :)Quote:
Originally Posted by rickboone
http://www.uxcell.com/precision-opti...s-p-11684.html
Here is the one I've been very happy with. Not cheap but not junk either. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by rickboone
Your right on the ProScope HR2 I don't know how I missed that.
I did find a way to improve the radio shack scope for the time being though.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/misce...provement.html
Jimmy,Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
I got the same loupe and also this:
30 x HANDHELD LIGHTED MICROSCOPE for JEWELRY etc & CASE - eBay (item 370326809866 end time Jun-03-10 03:15:25 PDT)
(370326809866)
the difference is huge, the scope gives higher mag than the loupe. The loupe also is not a triplet(3 lopue construction) its one thin and one very thick grooved loupe. I wonder if what I got is not new version made cheaper to save cost?
This scope by the way is better than the Radio shack one, it has brighter illumination, great detail, the position of the light source and be adjusted. The scope is much easier to move along the edge.
I am actually impressed.
I got this one here, Carson Micro Max 200, and I wouldn't recommend it. Poisoned my mind against those hand held types. My Widget supply 30x is at home and I am at work. I am pretty sure mine is a triplet. I got it a couple of years ago at the recommendation of Kaptain Zero on the forums IIRC. At work I have an old B&L Hasting's Triplet in 20x. A great little eye loupe optically but a 7mm objective takes some getting used to.Quote:
Originally Posted by mainaman
those radio shack type sopes have adjustable eyepiece that can easily be moved from the optimal focus position and that makes it PITA to deal with(and the shallow depth of field). This 30x one does not have moving parts on it and once the focus is established its locked in place unless its intentionally changed. @ 30x the magnification is not much less than the Radio shack scope , just for illustration if the bevel looks like 7-8mm on the 100x radio shack scope , on this 30x one it looks like ~5mm wide with a lot more light, I was very pleasantly surprised by that.Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
Thanks to Randy for posting the link to that nice little scope.Quote:
I use a 30X handheld microscope on every razor that I hone. It tells me all that I need to know.
Forget the Radio Shack 60-100.
Which one did Randy post? Are you talking about the one on Ebay from the science seller guy? If so, they are sold out of those...anyone know where to get one?Quote:
Originally Posted by mainaman
yes that is the one, after I got mine there were only 2 left.Quote:
Originally Posted by rickboone
Quote:
Originally Posted by mainaman
Ahh....darn.
Here are a few shots from my Veho USB microscope (Veho VMS-001 200x 1.3 Megapixel; $79.95 at JR.com) taken just a few mins ago after I started to perform the marker test on an Ontario cutlery razor that was part of a batch buy. This was really just a practice razor.
The nice thing about a USB micro is that you can take and save pix and use them for reference either during the initial honing process, or later, when you might want to do touch ups.
This one turns out to have a fair amount of chipping / pitting right where the bevel is.
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...pson/Ont-7.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...pson/Ont-6.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...pson/Ont-5.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...pson/Ont-8.jpg
Another nice thing about the photo feature is that I can come back to these photos after I worked out the chips and have a gander. BTW, this was probably taken at 100x; I did not check.
I find the microscope most useful on flea market find blades. I don't bother for touching up previously honed blades, or bother when honing something new out of the box. I just use a loupe to see how the bevel is progressing with the latter stuff.
I use an very old light microscope with the 100x objective. Yes it helps sooo much. you can visualy verify what good edges look like and relate it to the shave itself. You begin to try for a certin finish that helps you to define your own standard and preferences. The microscope will help you more and more over time, depending on how deep you enter the "honing for sport" category. Yet i doubt people who do it for a living day in and out would hardly need one at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by crankymoose
Mike
Really good optics and very high magnification (over 500 power) will take more of the mystery out of blades and honing than a lot of people are comfortable with. But around 100 power will certainly be extremely helpful.
Has anyone used a stand up microscope for checking edges on straight razors. I see some really nice looking antique units for sale and might go that route.
Thanks
I picked up a microscope (old brass one from a school) from the local free-adds, the chap even brought it round to my house, it comes in handy even today i had a practice blade that really showed to me the difference that 10 laps of chromium oxide make to the edge :) its a pity that the pitting runs so close to the edge and is so deep as to make the razor un-usable :(
ian
You can pick up the 30x eye loupe from Harbor Freight tools and they also have several other magnification tools in various powers and sizes
I picked one of this up cheep on ebay, its got great resolution.
Just kidding, I wish. I just use a camera lens that I turn backward. You would be surprised at how nice of a magnification you can get.
Maybe someone use this one Portable LCD Digital Microscope [item # 44310] ?
I planing to buy this and would like to know about how it suitable for honing ?