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I'm sure the answer is somewhere, but, I'm at work...on my way home this evening, would like to pick-up a magnifier for viewing bevels/and/edges during honing. Plan on passing the time by honing a razor or two tonight.
I've heard jewelers glass, but, in the case I can't locate one of these, what power (X) would be suggested for good - sufficient magnification...and Thanks in advance for your time in reply.
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Scott
some people use 30x, some use 100x-200
If I had to guess, I'd say most are using 100, but some are using 30
Thanks for the information...appreciate it
I'd say it depends how good your eyes are, how much detail you really want, and what you are looking for. I have on interest (at this point) in looking at my blades for tiny microchipping or carefully examining scratch patters to see what I can learn or compare hones etc, so I'm happy with just my bare eyes to see if the bevel goes all the way to the edge of the razor and for a general idea of what my scratch pattern looks like. 10x to 30x would make this process easier, but for now I'm fine without that.
I got one like this from Ebay: LED Mini Adjustable 45X Magnifier Microscope Loupe Lens - eBay (item 370314866293 end time Feb-01-10 10:59:02 PST)
I also got a cheap microscope that goes up to 100x. The 45x does a nice job of showing the bevel / edge. It's also small enough to easily take with to an antique store or fleamarket if you wanted to look at edge pitting on a vintage razor.
FWIW, the 100x that I have is like this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Lighted-Micr...#ht_3877wt_982
I am not nearly as happy with the image quality vs. the 45x linked above.
I and many others use this gizmo:
Amazon.com: Carson Micro Max Lighted Microscope: Industrial & Scientific
I found the free supersaver shipping as an excuse to get another shaving cream.
You can get the same scope from RadioShack @ slightly higher price.
Appreciate all your suggestions...Thanks!
Check the second hand stores, I found a 100-1200x microscope for 2.00. It is a bit of overkill, allright a lot of overkill but it was cheap enough and it has a ledge to set the razor on, I have a hard time holding the handheld in place over the bevel. Most radioshacks carry both a handheld lighted microscope and a 30x jewelers loupe in stock.
With magnification it's all about the resolution not the magnifying power. A good 30x will show you much more than a cheap 100x.
Personally I use a 30x and it's all I need. Check edmunds scientifics for a variety of instruments and for the ultimate check out deutsche optics for the best.
I got one at Radio Shack for about $10 if I remember right. I don't remember the magnification on it at the moment but it has a handy built in light and will show how well (or not) your bevels and edges are.
I've got the one from Radioshack, I can never seem to get it in focus.
I'm glad this thread came up as I was looking for something new.
I'm happy with 8x during honing but I like a large lens diameter, 36mm. I'm not comfortable with the small field of view in the 20mm ones.