Thread: Microscope use when honing

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.

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.

Originally Posted by gandrw

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™

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.

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 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.