Was out and about yesterday and picked up a stone and a portable microscope to play around with. The stone is just a 12K Chinese water stone I picked up at Woodcraft for like $25. I'll still have to pick up a lapping stone to flatten it before I use it, but it seems pretty nice.
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g2...psc0032039.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g2...pse8ebc23f.jpg
Then I stopped off at RadioShack and picked up this little portable microscope. Its got a light on it and is 60-100X (supposedly). I dont know much about the magnification but I know the thing works great! I ran over all of my blades with it and I saw some very interesting things. I noticed the "teeth" on the blade. I saw a couple of "wires" hanging off the end. I also have one that was just honed up and hasnt been used yet, so I can see what a good sharp edge is supposed to look like. And for $14 for this, I would say its well worth the money spent.
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g2...ps93e45831.jpg
Just thought I would share since I am about to take the steps into learning how to hone and keep my blades in tip top shape.