Thread: How much magnification looking at edge?

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.

Originally Posted by bluesman7

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.

Victor: is your 100X a hand held device and is so would you mind telling were to buy one. I have a 60X that serves me well but I would like to
try a 100X. Thank you, Tom Du Jardin

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.

I also use a 30x-60x hand held loupe.
I prefer the 60x myself, I can hold it far enough from the blade and not have to have my eye right at the loupe.

Different strokes for different folks

I used to use a 10X jewellers loupe.
Still do every so often.
The last few years I’ve used it if for some reason the resulting edge wasn’t up to snuff.
Most of the time though, I simply hone and test-shave nowadays.

I also bought some USB thingy with hundreds of magnifying power.
Useless shit, that has been tossed out years ago