Thread: microscope question

I am familiar with stereo microscopes from my high school days. Is it possible to use a compound microscope if light is projected from above? Most stereo scopes only go to 80X and with a compound the magnification can be much higher. Any help would be appreciated.

Here are a couple scope set ups. A bright overhead light source is required. A white background beneath the blade helps to focus on the edge. 100X magnification is optimum IMHO. Use of higher magnification and it becomes very difficult to inspect the length of the edge from heel to tip.

Practice first by understanding what a 1K edge looks like (bevel set). Then move to 4 and 8K edge to see what they look like. Then observe the 8K edge after you strop it with leather, linen, paste etc. Observe the edge after a shave, after 5 shaves. Lots to learn along the way. Have fun.
MIke

The higher the magnification the more light you need because at higher mag the light gathering power decreases. (The same with telescopes by the way). But you don't need that much to see the edge. Too much and any edge will look bad. I find 80x to be overkill and with my stereo microscope 40x is as much as I ever need or want to see. Really, a quality hand-lens at 14x is all you need.

Thank you very much for your respones. There is a great deal to learn.
Jerry1

I'm thinking of obtaining a magnification devise that can record/share.
"EyeClops BioniCam" is one example

I use this 20X Fowler with light. It works perfectly for me. Not to strong of power, a boatload of light, and the convenience of use makes it my go too for magnification over a loup.

This is all like 'looking for Eyebrow Mites with a magnifying glass'. sounds like fun. ... But do you really want to know??!!

I agree that not knowing is comfortable. I appreciate all comments.

Originally Posted by jerry1

I agree that not knowing is comfortable. I appreciate all comments.

There is real merit in not chasing your own tail by using very high magnification when honing. You are not building a rocket just trying to learn the "art" of honing.

Bob

There is honing and then there is being obsessive with an edge which goes way beyond the reason for having the edge. Of course if you are doing a research project on how keen to get an edge before it crumbles then that's another story.