Thread: Magnification

What do you use to look at the edge of your razors? Loupe, eye-held loupe, 60x100 Radio Shack? Other?

Kevin

If I really want to look at an edge under magnification, I use a stereo microscope I purchased new off Ebay a few years back. I mainly use the 40x power and don't find a need for anything higher since the optics are decent. Plus the eyepieces give a pretty wide angle. I know many use the Radio Shack $10 hand held and swear by it. I bought and used one briefly and simply could not get used to it. I gave it away.

You can tell a lot about an edge just be viewing it unaided under a strong incandescent light looking to whether or not the edge is reflecting light anywhere along the edge, etc. I find I don't use my stereo mic quite as much as I once did when honing. I used to use it each and every time I would hone.

Chris L

I use a 10x loupe I bought somewhere online. It's cheap but it works. I am finding though that I agree with what Chris said. I used the loupe to find the trouble spots then by accident realized what they look like to the unaided eye and good light. I'm not putting the loupe down anytime soon, but I'm learning what to look for without it as well.

I use a old B&L stereoscope I bought second hand years ago for checking the points on tattooing needles. It maxes out at 30x so that is where I use it.

I also use this 30x eye loupe here for convenience sake. Personally I wouldn't be without magnification when honing. I find it very helpful.

I mainly use a 30x hand held magnifier. it shows me everything I need to see. I have a Nikon Stereo Microscope I bought years ago but it's overkill for razors.

the bionic eye

200 times normal size on any TV screen + the kids love it
Here's a pic of an edge on my tv

I wish I had that kind of toy when I was a kid.
Where can you find that (perhaps in europe) and at what price?

Originally Posted by ursus

I wish I had that kind of toy when I was a kid.
Where can you find that (perhaps in europe) and at what price?

1 used from £10.99
Eyeclops: Amazon.co.uk: Toys & Games

Thanks, guys, for the insight.

Since first posting, I bought a Radio Shack 60x100 mini microscope and just yesterday a 30x loupe at a flea market for $4.50.

The Shack scope is darned hard to try and drive. I've also noticed what others have mentioned about using up batteries.

The loupe is a breeze and for now will do me well, I think.

Thanks,

Kev

Well I figured my kids would get a real kick out of the Eyeclops - and coincidentally I can view the edges I'd honing and polishing without having to squint into a tiny eyepiece. So I went online to the UK Amazon site and bought one (but with shipping to the US it was $92). Still better than a conventional microscope and easier ton the eyes than my RadioShack hand held. It just occurred to me that I might have found it on the US Amazon site - too early in the morning on a Saturday to be shopping for anything!

Anyway thanks Chayes for posting that photo and link!