the benifits of the jewelers loop

Attachment 149562Attachment 149563still learning honing. the edge looked fine with the eye and thumb pad felt good. with the jewelers loop I had no idea how bad the edge was on this razor. It would cut the hanging hair with now problem at all. but when trying to shave not so good. it really didn't matter how much it was stropped. that should have been a dead give away. with the loop I could see very small pits on the edge but just on one side of the edge. It was well worth the few dollars I spent on the magnification lens. also I got a dovo off ebay that was said to be shave ready. it wasn't . with loop I could see it needed honing. all along I thought it was me the reason I was having trouble shaving. now I know it was BOTH. me and the blade. the razor shown took awhile to hone to a point where there were no bad places and the next time maybe longer. at least now I know. Thanks Lynn for the advice.

Some sort of magnification lens is on my shopping list. I don't have any hones yet so it can wait a while though.

I agree it can really be a big help. I'm a pretty visually oriented person and really like a visual indication (especially until I get a better feel for the thumb pad test).

The 10x with led light is my favorite. That little light is very useful.

I have a cheapo dual lens, slide-out, with light. It's labeled 30x/60x. The 30x part is fine and shows you most of what you need to know, the 60x focal length is so short that you'd better keep a good track of where your nose is. You can see great bevel details, but it's a chore going from one end of the blade to the other and keeping focused/lighted (more light than the LED is better at 60x).

I'd like to try a USB scope, or a good phone app. But also would like a larger, easier to use 50-60x sort of lens.

I consider magnification a must for buying used and for sharpening (more than razors yes).

I have a veho 400x. I did get good use out of it when I got it. But after a while, you have other ways of knowing when the edge is done. I wouldn't say not to get one, but don't spend too much either IMO.