Thread: Razor Examination with Microscope

one things I have seen suggested is to spend a little more and get a loupe that fits in the eye (like a monocule) this way you have your hands free.

Also I would buy rechargable batteries, they tend to not last as long as regular batteries but if your not going anywhere.....

also brothers "I wound up asking for was a microscope that I could connect to my desktop" If I'm guessing right your thinking of a USB powered microscope.


great idea with the playdough! Have to remember to wash the razor though cause playdough is kinda salty

Forgive the childish nostalgia, MBWhoosh. But, wash the razor and **eat** the playdough. Right?

Originally Posted by LarryAndro

Forgive the childish nostalgia, MBWhoosh. But, wash the razor and **eat** the playdough. Right?

Well I wasn't going to admit to it first

knawing on silly putty was a close second

Make sure you wash the razor when you're finished. My parents still give me a hard time around Christmas because I stored some play-dough near their ornaments when I was a child and they all rusted. There must be a good amount of salt in the stuff...

PaulWJax, see, if you'd eaten the playdough... no problem!

Pfffff probably used his paste to actually make stuff too

Progress has been made. I went to Radio Shack and they had the microscope in stock. I've got the rechargeable batteries going, and then I found it is very difficult because the image is inverted. I've watched Ken using his, and I've read the methods the others are using with success, so now it's up to me to learn how to see the blade of my razor. With some amount of practice, I'll be able to see the edge of the blade quite well, I'm thinking.

Glad to hear your conquest was successful.....

....but you still haven't answered the main question

which tastes better sillyputty/paste/ or playdough?

Originally Posted by brothers

Progress has been made. I went to Radio Shack and they had the microscope in stock. I've got the rechargeable batteries going, and then I found it is very difficult because the image is inverted. I've watched Ken using his, and I've read the methods the others are using with success, so now it's up to me to learn how to see the blade of my razor. With some amount of practice, I'll be able to see the edge of the blade quite well, I'm thinking.

Hi Brothers,
One tip that Randy gave us at the Upper Midwest gathering, is that the plastic on those microscope can scratch a blade. He suggested covering the plastic with clear "scotch" tape. You might already know that but thought I'd mention it just in case you didn't. I've got the same microscope. I'm not great at using it but it does get easier with practice.

At the beginning of this message I included some pictures of a method to view the blade under the microscope using play dough. This has proven a good method as it holds the blade steady, for shake is the biggest problem, but allows me to move the blade when needed. Also, with a small amount of practice it proves easy to avoid contact between the edge and the plastic of the scope.

Also, I have modified my method somewhat, and no longer use a book (see pictures above) unless I want to view the blade from the top. (Not often; usually view blade from side to see if edge is straight and smooth on the sides.)

Including several pictures here so you can see how it's done. Also, I no longer use the light on the microscope. I put a goose neck lamp close to the table top, and rotate the blade to be illuminated by the lamp. The blade image is much better illuminated that way.