Thread: How much magnification looking at edge?

100x stero microscope for me. I don't like using handheld loupe. I have one, but I just don't like it.

A 30x loupe for me too...
I have found it provides enough info...
I prefer to use it in daylight.

I do have one like Geezer mentioned but mine ataches to the cell phone camera by a clamp...60 china Xes...I use it rarely.

When I need to realy test and compare high dollar hones I go to a friend that has a metalographic microscope ...I belive it can go to 1000x
It's old but extremly high quality optical microscope.

It's hard to take pictures from it.
But the detail you get contrast...sharpnes...light... is unbelivable compared to cheap digital usb microscopes that ''correct'' or digitaly enhance the image for more ''clarity''.

One must interpret an image of what is at the edge not what a soft thinks is at the edge.
Beside the magnification...and the image quality...the observer must be able to interpret what he sees...

Good quality usb microscopes made in the USA...can go up to 150$.and they are worth it.

A good quality metallographi microscope can go @500-1000$

Thanks for great answers. Allright so 1000x times is not an overkill? im aleready going to buy a good microscope.

Originally Posted by Jamesalot23

Thanks for great answers. Allright so 1000x times is not an overkill? im aleready going to buy a good microscope.

It is definitely overkill. I have one that goes to 1000x and it provides no useful info. My scope is also capable of 400x and 100x. The 100x is just right.

Originally Posted by Jamesalot23

Thanks for great answers. Allright so 1000x times is not an overkill? im aleready going to buy a good microscope.

I was going to chime in so I went to the start of this thread and I while I would recommend a good 30 power loupe the most magnification that see was 100.

So I'm wondering where the 1000 power came in (see in Red above). One too many zero when typing

If so it happens to the best of us.

I find X100 to be my go to magnification. It's about as much as you can use and still inspect the whole edge in a reasonably short period of time. X10-30 is very useful, but if X100 is available I would always go to it.

No need to go over 100x optical magnification for our needs...you just need to see whats going on at the bevels and edge...the amount of info provided under clear magnification from 30x to 100x is more then enough.
The rest can be deduced.
I would worry more about the knowledge needed to interpret the images...as knowledge is of much more value then an image. And interpreting an optical image is most of the time easier then a digitaly enhanced one.

You are not going to get better edges just by looking at them under 1000x...you need to be able to understand what you see and corelate that with your technique...and hones...razor geometry and steel.

A good understanding of an image gets you valuable feedback to adjust your technique...change a hone in the lineup....use tape to modify the angle of honing....understand what the steel can take.....slurry or no slurry...finishing on water...oil etc...and number of laps....pressure of the stroke...and where you apply the pressure...be it at the edge end by torqueing or at the spine...
There are so many variables that need to be understood before going after the ultimate magnification.

Otherwise you'll be just looking at pretty pictures

30x for me too. I have a 300x usb scope and find it frustrating to use because it gives too much detail. a 30x and some good light tells me what i need to know.

I just use a 30x loup. I struggled initially then I got one with a built in LED light. The light makes all the difference for me. It wasn't expensive either.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by cudarunner

I was going to chime in so I went to the start of this thread and I while I would recommend a good 30 power loupe the most magnification that see was 100.

So I'm wondering where the 1000 power came in (see in Red above). One too many zero when typing

If so it happens to the best of us.

At the beginning of this thread the 1000x was mentioned. I also have a metalurgical scope with the capability of 1000x .It is primarily for looking at the grain size/composition/structure of a metal. It is not useful for razors, hence my post.
Frankly I used a 30x handheld scope for many years and it is more than adequate for the task.