Razor Examination with Microscope

I examine blade edges under a $12 Radio Shack microscope. I got the idea from another SRP member, so maybe this is a common practice. I don't know.

Unfortunately, when using the microscope, shake when focusing is a problem. With the addition of play dough, I now have a more usable system. I position the blade to be slightly lower than the book, move the microscope until I see the blade edge, then by putting slight pressure on the book (with my arm, which is holding the scope to my eye) I move the scope into focus. Now, it is much easier focusing on a section of the blade, either the edge or even away from the edge, by only slightly altering pressure on the book. Moving to a different section of the blade is easy also.

Pictures provided. Hopefully, this technique will be useful to others...

I have been using the method that Ken using in this video(about 30 seconds in). Seems to work. The book and playdoh idea is a good one though :)

YouTube - Kenrup Resto Part 3

That is neat. I think I would gather less information from that angle though. Do you have a sense that you can measure the edge with your eyesight?

When I use optics I simply lay the razor down on a table edge facing me, then place the optics end on the table near but not touching the edge, then place the non-optic end on the spine. Perfect support, perfect view.

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Originally Posted by AFDavis11

That is neat. I think I would gather less information from that angle though. Do you have a sense that you can measure the edge with your eyesight?

When I use optics I simply lay the razor down on a table edge facing me, then place the optics end on the table near but not touching the edge, then place the non-optic end on the spine. Perfect support, perfect view.

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Use the same method here

The problem I have with laying it on the table top is that I inadvertently bump the razor with my hand or finger, moving it. And, that guy holding it in his hand sure has a steadier hand than me! But, it's not a matter of finding the best way. As long as it's in focus, it's in focus! :)

AFDavis11, I only showed one angle in the pictures. The most useful advantage of this method is that I can place the blade with the edge straight up and look straight down. Hand held, I would fear blunting the edge. Laying it on the table, impossible... No matter the angle you want, with the "play dough method", I can not view the blade.

I'm frustrated because I went into more than one Radio Shack, and also tried Best Buy, but didn't know exactly what to ask for, and what I wound up asking for was a microscope that I could connect to my desktop, and got nothing but blank looks and they've never heard of such a thing. But that's the way I do. So next time I go to a Radio Shack, exactly how do I describe this microscope to them in terms that they will understand? I'd love to have one of these. I do have a 16X jeweler's loupe, and while it is possible to see the edge, I have a difficult time getting it focused and maintaining my focus while I hold both the razor and the loupe in my hands.

Brothers, when I went into the Radio Shack, I was there 30 minutes before they found one for me! It was in their inventory, and I wouldn't leave I guess, so they kept hunting for it until they found them behind another product. But, I digress.

Here's the description of the product taken from the packaging...

Radio Shack Illuminated Mini Microscope, catalog# 63-1313. It requires 2 AAA batteries, and magnifies 60x to 100x.

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Originally Posted by LarryAndro

Brothers, when I went into the Radio Shack, I was there 30 minutes before they found one for me! It was in their inventory, and I wouldn't leave I guess, so they kept hunting for it until they found them behind another product. But, I digress.

Here's the description of the product taken from the packaging...

Radio Shack Illuminated Mini Microscope, catalog# 63-1313. It requires 2 AAA batteries, and magnifies 60x to 100x.

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One thing i will add... This scope eats batteries like nobody's business.

Thanks for the info. Next chance I get, I'll take another run at it.

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?

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Originally Posted by LarryAndro

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

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Well I wasn't going to admit to it first:p

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 :p

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?:shrug::p

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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.

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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.

Kent and Larry, good information! This helps a bunch. The external source of light Larry uses is going to help tremendously. Hope I didn't scratch my blade too much last night when I was thrashing around to see "something! anything!" :) with my new 'scope.

In the picture above, the lamp has a 100 watt bulb, which throws out a lot of heat. I bring the lamp in as close as I can for the best light, which necessitated another piece of equipment you might not have noticed. A pot holder! That's the pink object draped over the metal lamp shade. (Gives the whole scene a mad scientist look.)

Thanks gents! I've been thinking about getting that scope from Radio Shack based on what folks say here about it. Unfortunately I keep forgetting to swing by and pick one up whenever I'm near that store. I just went online and found it here:

Illuminated Microscope - RadioShack.com

On the left side where it says "other ways to get it" there's an option to have it sent to the store nearest you and you pick it up. I did that and it came back and told that the store had it in stock. I called and they indeed do have it. Pretty nice setup! 100x and lit up for $12!

Moving away slightly from obtaining the microscope to using it, when I purchased the scope I thought I would use it primarily for determining the sharpness of the blade. I've evolved into a slightly different set of criteria:

(1) How straight is the blade?
(2) How smooth is the blade?
(3) Is the blade burred?

(By burr, I mean a thin flap of metal at edge of blade that is bent over to one side.)

I use the HHT and other "thumb" tests for sharpness, and in actuality don't use the microscope much to check sharpness.

Indentations and knicks in the blade edge, even ones that aren't visible to the eye, are a killer on skin. Let alone the fact that that portion of the blade doesn't cut effectively. I use the microscope to check the entire length of the edge to ensure that it is straight.

When blades are honed and polished, scratches are left in the side of the blade immediately next to the cutting edge. As the finer abrasives are used, such as Chromium Oxide paste and Diamond paste or spray, these scratches become smaller. I use the microscope to verify that the blade surface is relatively smooth and free of these scratches. I am less sure of this fact, but believe that a good sharp edge, combined with a scratchy surface on the side of the blade next to the cutting edge is a chap-prone blade.

Finally, a blade with a burr from overhoning might cut hair just fine. I use the microscope to ensure the edge is not burred or anything other than straight, forming a vertical cutting edge. I detect burrs primarily by viewing BOTH sides of the blade. A burr ridge might be visible from only one side.

This topic deals with the use of the microscope, so will stop here. Another recent thread dealing with tests to determine sharpness is here...

http://straightrazorpalace.com/gener...tests-not.html

And, of course, this topic sharpness is a constant theme on this site as is expected!