Thread: USB Microscope

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Here is a stropped razor @200x without a big shiny secondary bevel . This goal in razor honing is to make the bevel disappear to the edge.
IMHO secondary bevels belong on knives & only on some of those.

A variety of pics here also:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...pics-200x.html

can you pholtosop a shine on that, since the sinny stuff sells on the bay, I figured most will like more shinny

Originally Posted by whoever

can you pholtosop a shine on that, since the sinny stuff sells on the bay, I figured most will like more shinny

Sure thing. If that is your goal ? Selling shiny stuff on eBay ? Don't even need photoshop , just a bright light.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Here is a stropped razor @200x without a big shiny secondary bevel . This goal in razor honing is to make the bevel disappear to the edge.
IMHO secondary bevels belong on knives & only on some of those.

A variety of pics here also:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...pics-200x.html

Thanks! The link is awesome! To someone inexperienced at analyzing the edges, it is great to see some shots and an explanation. I'm looking forward to seeing how my blades look (wish I had this sooner, so that I could have looked at the Dovo, before sending it to be honed).

Originally Posted by Razorfaust

Now you will hate any microblemish you see and hone your razors to 2/8th nubs lol

I hope not! I am pretty ANALitical about things

Fortunately, for now it's only for educational purposes - just try to understand what the edge looks like and relate that to the real test of how it feels when shaving.

I tried the lighted loupe, but it's really hard for me to see the edge condition. It'll be great to capture the condition of the edge too, for a better eval of how well I strop and (eventually) hone - knowing that the microscope will really emphasis the imperfections.

OK, so I checked out my edges, at two different magnifications (not sure how to calibrate the microscope with the Mac, but used the highest magnification and lowest).

Dovo back from pro honing
Looks fine across edge.

Boker with 8 shaves
Looks good, there is a 2mm and 1mm shiny area in the middle, but otherwise the rest of the edge seemed fine.

Union Cutlery Spike with 40+ shaves
This had been giving great shaves, but has been pulling some lately. Wow! Here's the big one. In the middle of the blade, about 6-8mm long:



Comments? Thoughts? I take it, I'd need to bevel set this blade (time to try honing...)?

I also see a 2mm and 1mm spot towards the heel (sort of out of focus):



What usually causes small areas like this? ding? Is it just flattened a little? Doesn't seem like it is from stropping, due to the size. Is that a correct assumption?

The toe and rest of edge looks very good. Must be why 90% of my shaves are fine

Does the razor catch the scales when closing?

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Sure thing. If that is your goal ? Selling shiny stuff on eBay ? Don't even need photoshop , just a bright light.

ooooh, thats a $500 bevel, i can almost shave with it

Originally Posted by pcm

OK, so I checked out my edges, at two different magnifications (not sure how to calibrate the microscope with the Mac, but used the highest magnification and lowest).

Cheaper USB's like my Veho eg have only 2 focus settings, 20x & 200x.

What usually causes small areas like this? ding? Is it just flattened a little? Doesn't seem like it is from stropping, due to the size. Is that a correct assumption?

This is contact damage. The deeper one is hard contact, sink, faucet etc.
The others could even be from brushing against a fingernail while shaving or placing the razor down on a hard surface in the fully open position.The edge can then roll against the bench. Best to always close a razor to 45º when putting it down. No risk that way.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

This is contact damage. The deeper one is hard contact, sink, faucet etc.
The others could even be from brushing against a fingernail while shaving or placing the razor down on a hard surface in the fully open position.The edge can then roll against the bench. Best to always close a razor to 45º when putting it down. No risk that way.

careful , ya'll faucets are deadly , don't put it directly under tat metal thing

Originally Posted by whoever

careful , ya'll faucets are deadly , don't put it directly under tat metal thing

You got dat right! Knock on wood I have yet to touch a faucet or dropped one in da sink or bumped da countertop!!!!!