A Good Honing Tip - Using the Loupe

There are tons of gems on this website from the experienced members, sometimes we don't pick them up right away, sometimes we do, and I've read multiple times to get a darn Jewelers Loupe!!

I made an order the other day for some shaving supplies and finally, finally, decided, meh, might as well get a loupe.

So, after wondering the state of an edge by just guessing, "I've shaved 5 times with this blade, should I take it to some CroX, or refresh it on the coticule?" I finally looked at all my blades today with the loupe I received and it takes all the guessing out, you can tell just by looking what the state of the edge of your blade is, what it may or may not need, and if by chance you've rolled an edge.

So, if you're starting out, don't make the mistake I did in waiting a year to get one, get it, it provides all the information you need to know on the state of your edges.

Thanks to all the members who've only said that several thousand times....

Cheers!

:D

A loupe is a great thing to have for honing and restorations. One thing I find it really helpful with is setting the bevel. If the bevel doesn't go all the way to the edge it can show up as a tiny dark or shiny line right at the edge where light reflects as you move the razor under a light source, but with my loupe I had to be careful cause the lens isn't the greatest and can create a false line at certain angles to the light. What I mean is it created a reflection in the lens and not on the edge. Mine is a cheap loupe though. Once I figured out the right angle it has been invaluable.

A good Loupe is your best friend, a well lit, good loupe is your BFF :)

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

A good Loupe is your best friend, a well lit, good loupe is your BFF :)

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Thanks Glen, I've read that many times, especially from you! Got the exact type you mentioned, 40mm with an LED light, and it came with an extra battery! Wow...what a difference it makes actually seeing your edges...

I agree I like that Bright Blue tinted LED light it seems to help show the scratch patterns, at least to my eyes :p

Is there any special brand and model I should be looking for when buying a loupe? I saw there was a lot of cheap loupes on ebay, especially the chineese ones. But maybe those are no good.

Funny this thread should come up as I just received a new loupe yesterday.
I've had a 10x Bausch & Lomb for years and it works. I'm able to see the edge pretty good.
But I figured perhaps I should have a better look with a higher power unit and as you (Ludvig) mentioned, there are a lot of cheap Chinese ones on eBay.
So I figured at $3 and free shipping what have I got to loose?
It took a while to receive but I waited patiently and finally it showed up.
It's a Chinese 45X with LED and focus adjusting barrel.
But is so tiny it looks like it came out of a box of popcorn.
I can barely manouver with my big hands and the eye piece is so tiny I can barely see into it.
I would really like one that hooks up to the laptop so I can see on the screen.
wouldn't hurt to be able to snap photos and video as well.
So now i'll sit back and wait for recommendations.
Ralph

Got 2 chinese ones off eBay. Just a basic 30x and a lit 40x and they are great. A solid $5 investment.

Santa is bringing me a SRD modular paddle strop and a loupe for Christmas.

What do you think of the cheap glasses loups on E-bay, from china? At least they look funny, but I don't know if it would be practical.

I have a cheap Chinese one that I have been using and it gets the job done, but the lens isn't the greatest so you have to get used to it. I think loupes are like scopes and binoculars, the better the glass and construction the more you are going to pay.

I use 3 different kinds of magnification. An inexpensive lighted 30x loop. A 60-100x inexpensive lighted hand held magnifier and a USB scope.

Each has its own qualities and limitations.

30x is quick and easy… the first one to grab, no brainer.

60-100 X, once focused for the razor it is fairly quick and gives a better look at problem areas. Limitation, the view is inverted, eats batteries and lighting is weak. Mark problem area with a dot of sharpie ink for quick relocation.

USB scope, slow focusing and insufficient lighting, additional LED light helps tremendously. They are great documenting problems before and after photos, but too big a hassle for use while honing.

Not something you must have, but they are getting much cheaper, make sure software will work with your o/s.

Recommendation, buy inexpensive, less than $15… and your good to go.

Speed trumps detail, we are not doing microsurgery.

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Originally Posted by Ludvig

What do you think of the cheap glasses loups on E-bay, from china? At least they look funny, but I don't know if it would be practical.

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The 20x ones? I have some, but I wouldn't recommend them, I nearly knocked a blade into them. The dual 30/60x one with lights is pretty good though.

I've also been considering a loupe, but figured a $5 chinese version would take quite a while and be of poor quality. Worth the $?

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Originally Posted by Phrank

I made an order the other day for some shaving supplies and finally, finally, decided, meh, might as well get a loupe.

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Originally Posted by Wayne1963

Santa is bringing me a SRD modular paddle strop and a loupe for Christmas.

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So, have you guys found a shave shop that sells loupes? I haven't seen them in any of the online shops; kind of surprised that they don't sell them. Where's the best place to get one?

i got mine at a jewelry store.
Cost me about $1,000 and they threw in a diamond ring.

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Originally Posted by ne0nblakk

I've also been considering a loupe, but figured a $5 chinese version would take quite a while and be of poor quality. Worth the $?

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That's what I got. Full metal body with lights 40x and a basic 30x triple.

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Originally Posted by MBR1965

So, have you guys found a shave shop that sells loupes? I haven't seen them in any of the online shops; kind of surprised that they don't sell them. Where's the best place to get one?

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Maggards have them

Following the advice on these forums, I ordered a set of three in varying powers of magnification at the same time I ordered my hones. They actually arrived before my hones, but it took me working through a couple of blades before I actually remembered to use them. Very helpful in seeing if all of the scratch pattern from a rougher hone has been worked out before moving on.

I order these

Amazon.com: 40 X 25mm Glass Lens Jeweler Loupe Magnifier With LED: Office Products

I order several at a time because the cost is less then I can buy the batteries for

This one also works pretty darn good but isn't near as fast or as easy to use

EtaTech Mini 60x LED Pocket Microscope Jeweler Magnifier Adjustable Loupe: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific


Keep in mind like every thing else in this crazy hobby MAD can get ya :rofl2: and you can start chasing Magnification hehehe

I have like three microscopes and numurous different magnifiers laying around everywhere .. But honestly the one I use everyday is the first one I linked...


Caveat or as we say on SRP YMMV - Everyone's eyes are different so what works great for one of us might not work as great for another, guess you have to try them out and see..

IIRC it was Noswad at the last Denver meetup that had a magnifing glass that was the most awesome one I had ever used, that is one I would love to find :) Had good clear Magnification, a huge lens and Blue or White light...

Thanks for the info and recommendations on loupes. I ended up ordering 3 of the first one you linked, gssixgun. I think I actually saw you using one like this in a honing video, but wasn't sure it was that cheap kind from amazon. Thanks!

I guess this thread should be titled "magnification on the cheap".

So I'll be the contrary one and say to save your pennies and get a quality magnifier. Once you look through a quality magnifier you never want less. 10x is all you ever need with a good loupe or hand lens. You can see everything.

So having said that, I have a $10 job I use to check the stylus on the old turntable and it works fine.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I guess this thread should be titled "magnification on the cheap".

So I'll be the contrary one and say to save your pennies and get a quality magnifier. Once you look through a quality magnifier you never want less. 10x is all you ever need with a good loupe or hand lens. You can see everything.

So having said that, I have a $10 job I use to check the stylus on the old turntable and it works fine.

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So where do you find these quality magnifiers and what do they cost?

Funny this thread came up. I was going to start one last night but was too tired.
After spending some time honing with an experinced member here (see other thread), I saw the value in watching for that white line. So last night (with my new LIGHTED loupe), I set out to pay attention to only that variable, since the other tests were not giving me a good go/no-go on the bevel.
To my surprise, sure enough I could see a very tiny white line at the edge, almost indistinguishable at times. I stayed on the 1k until that was completely gone - and it turned out to be longer than what I would have thought. The other advantage is you can see exactly what areas are good and which others need more work, so you can concentrate on those.
Also, beyond bevel setting, you can see if your higher grits are meeting the edge. After a little time on the 5k, I noticed the very faint white line again. Realized I forgot to change out my tape from 1k - did that and whamo, I was getting the edge.
Sorry for the long whinded post, but I too believe this is a powerful tool in giving a very good indication of edge quality. I feel like I now have a good test to see if the razor is ready to move to the next hone.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

10x is all you ever need with a good loupe or hand lens. You can see everything.

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I agree bigspender,.....my quality 10X Bausch & Lomb eye piece is way better than the three dollar 35X from the popcorn box.

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Originally Posted by Ludvig

So where do you find these quality magnifiers and what do they cost?

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Im too lazy to do it for you.
Google 10X Bausch & Lomb and see what you come up with.

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Originally Posted by Raol

Im too lazy to do it for you.
Google 10X Bausch & Lomb and see what you come up with.

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Thanks, found it. A definite jump in price, but maybe it's worth it. I just ordered a 40x with LED light for $3. Not quite the same as you recommended but it is a cheap starting point, I can always upgrade later on.