Thread: microscope question

I can tell more about an edge with a 40x stereoscope than I can with a compound scope at much higher magnification.

I am fortunate to have access to some high-end optical microscopes, and have looked at a multitude of objects in them over the years.
It is not possible to resolve the edge of a razor with an optical microscope. In my opinion, the minimum magnification required to see 'shave ready' is 10,000x.
That said, a magnified view of the edge provides information. Some people will find this information useful, others will not.

In simple terms, higher magnification results not only in a smaller field of view but in a shallower depth of field and shorter working distance. Not ideal for imaging a razor since the bevel must be perpendicular and very close to the lens. A better choice is a microscope (or loupe) with a longer working distance and a greater depth of field, this allows the blade to be tilted through the light source which usually provides more information than straight-on imaging. Even in a high-end microscope, 50-100x is more useful than 200x-1000x. Personally, I use a 10x loupe when honing.