Interesting Photomicrograph

I took this photograph using my digital microscope on a newly arrived Gold Dollar 208 razor. I can see visually why the razor, just out of the box is so keen. Maybe because I'm so new on this forum you old-timers are aware of the visual evidence that can be had by using a digital microscope to see the effect of honing style and equipment. I do plan on educating myself, using as much visual evidence as possible, to determine if there really is a difference between honing at 12K vs. 30k or higher.... as well as to determine the scratch effects on the blade from various stones/grade/manufacturer, etc. Please let me know if others are interested in this stuff. My regards to Dr. Matt, whose videos got me to try using my digital microscope that I use on coins to use it to visualize razor blade edges.

Attachment 189150

It will be interesting (to me) to see the difference when I hone it up at 12K and strop. And maybe look at some other techniques (I have some nanocloth strops on order as well as CBN slurries).

Saul

What magnification is this?

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Originally Posted by str8tlkr

What magnification is this?

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I neglected to use the built-in magnification ruler, but the scope is capable of 20x to 200x. I'm guessing that the photo was about 50x or so. By the way, the Digital Microscope I use is a Leuchtturm made in Germany and sold by several coin collector supply outfits (Wizard is a good one). It's not very expensive, about $125 or the scope, and about $200 with the accoutrements.

I probably should use the magnification ruler in the future.

Given the minute size of the bevel, I would guess that you are closer to 20x than 50x.

That looks like the Veho USB scope.

Get the lens closer to the bevel and photograph just the bevel, looking at the stria pattern and the edge.
If you zoom all the way in, you can change the magnification from min to max there is no in between.

If you want to make comparison photos, mark a spot above the bevel with a sharpie, then photo the same spot to make comparisons. Take photos using the software, not the button on the scope.

I'm thinking more like 20x as well. Not sure what looks so keen about the edge either, lol.

Gold dollars really are trash sir
don't waste your money on stuff like that
instead get a nice decent dovo or some vintage and get your hone on them
you'll see the difference

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Originally Posted by realprince01

Gold dollars really are trash sir
don't waste your money on stuff like that
instead get a nice decent dovo or some vintage and get your hone on them
you'll see the difference

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I think "trash" is too harsh to describe Gold Dollar razors. They certainly not the high quality as, say, Dovo.... But in terms of functionality, when properly prepped, they are equivalent to any of the premium razors. I find it kinda fun to work with GD razors to get them to a state where they are comparable, in terms of functionality, to my Dovo razors.

Some of my recent GD razors came almost shave ready right out of the box, with beautiful edge geometry. I'm playing with different prep methods (felt, nanocloth, CBN, CrOx, etc. on the GDs to see different ways to get these inexpensive razors to perform on par with premium brand razors.

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Originally Posted by eKretz

I'm thinking more like 20x as well. Not sure what looks so keen about the edge either, lol.

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You don't think the edge appears uniform? And has no evidence of sloppy factory initial honing?

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Originally Posted by DoctorSaul

You don't think the edge appears uniform? And has no evidence of sloppy factory initial honing?

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I was guessing at 10 x magnification and it's also too far away to say anything about the bevel.

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Originally Posted by realprince01

Gold dollars really are trash sir
don't waste your money on stuff like that
instead get a nice decent dovo or some vintage and get your hone on them
you'll see the difference

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I have two GD 100 razors coming on a slow boat from China to be my honing practice razors. I suspect that I might have to hone down the stabilizer in order to get the blade to lie flat on the stone, as this appears to be a common issue/problem with them. I am prepared to do this on my $10.00 razor, then I will proceed to honing it to refine my honing skills. I learned how to hone down that stabilizer on my Dovo Special. On one side the stabilizer extended away from the midline too far such that it raised the blade off of the stone every time the stabilizer hit it. My experience is that just because it says Dovo does not mean that it will be free of problems. I thought this going into it myself, and I was proven wrong.

Have never seen a G.D, so cannot Comment,But in Theory,you can make a butterknife shave.
Interesting project,Keep us posted:)

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Originally Posted by DoctorSaul

You don't think the edge appears uniform? And has no evidence of sloppy factory initial honing?

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Sure I would agree with both of those, but as noted by UKRob right after you posed these questions, the magnification level is too low to say with any certainty whether that is actually true. If you are saying it is so, I guess we'll just have to take your word for it, but it doesn't really come through as an irrefutable fact in that photo for me.

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Have never seen a G.D, so cannot Comment,But in Theory,you can make a butterknife shave.
Interesting project,Keep us posted:)

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Will do. These are intended to be test bed razors for my learning to hone. I will feel much more comfortable trying new things, or going to the 1K stone repeatedly imparting a fair amount of hone wear on the razor if it only cost me $10.00. I am not willing to do this on razors in my den that cost between $100 and $450. From everything that I have read from people who have made these razors shave ready, they actually perform very well and hold their edge very well. Once I am confident that my honing skills are solid, I am going to do a give away of the shave ready GDs, assuming they are not ruined, to a newbie.