Thread: 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!

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

Originally Posted by gssixgun

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

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

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

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 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!