Thread: Magnification

Gents I'm curious what your using/recommend to look at your edges while honing. I have a handheld magnifying glass and I don't think it's strong enough. Where to buy would be a big + also

Thanks

I use a 10X jewelers loop.

Having tried one of the cheap USB microscopes from ebay recently I can recommend *not* getting one. It would be unfair to say that it doesn't work but the thing is so fiddly and difficult to set up that it makes the process an absolute nightmare. After 100x magnification, the picture focus is really hard to get right but it works ok up to that point.

I have a jewelers loupe coming im the mail so can't give an account of that yet. The price seems very attractive and 40x should be enough to see the bevel clearly.

This is what I use its not super high powered so you wont get you sea-sick while moving, and the light source is amazing. Yes a bit spendy but I'm worth it right. To be honest I liberated it from work Har!!!

Click link here Microscopes | Travers.com

Here's a thread. http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...icroscope.html I have a USB microscope and it's too hard to use and is wobbly. I've ordered a lighted loupe that gssixgun (Glen) refers to in his post there.

I use an American Optical 569 that magnifies .7 to 3X with 10X eyepieces.
That gives me a stereo microscope of 30X which works very well for me.
I have to provide a seperate light source but that is OK.
I bought the scope and eyepieces seperately on Ebay.
Its been awhile so I don't remember for sure, but I don't think I have $100 into it.

I use one of these. I'm not sure how true the magnification specs are but zooms in quite a bit. I have a loupe as well but find that 30x is simply not enough for my tastes. This cheapo little tool has served me quite well.

Mini Pocket Handheld Microscope Magnifier Loupe 160X 200x Zoom Lens LED Light 88 | eBay

Originally Posted by OCDshaver

I use one of these. I'm not sure how true the magnification specs are but zooms in quite a bit. I have a loupe as well but find that 30x is simply not enough for my tastes. This cheapo little tool has served me quite well.

Mini Pocket Handheld Microscope Magnifier Loupe 160X 200x Zoom Lens LED Light 88 | eBay

Just having this convo w/ a fellow member. I also have a 30x loupe, but I need a seperate light source and also feel the level of magnification isn't enough.

I like your solution. I've also been looking at macro lenses for my Galaxy S4. Your solution may be the most problem free. I would get the magnification I need with a light. Freed from my workstation.

However, I would not be able to take pics, but that's ok. I'm looking at the edge for my own study,...,, Hmmmm.... To be able to show pics of edge progression during honing might be helpful... Hmmmm....

Originally Posted by Siguy

Just having this convo w/ a fellow member. I also have a 30x loupe, but I need a seperate light source and also feel the level of magnification isn't enough.

I like your solution. I've also been looking at macro lenses for my Galaxy S4. Your solution may be the most problem free. I would get the magnification I need with a light. Freed from my workstation.

However, I would not be able to take pics, but that's ok. I'm looking at the edge for my own study,...,, Hmmmm.... To be able to show pics of edge progression during honing might be helpful... Hmmmm....

These scopes that I use are so cheap I'm sure you can swing both. This little hand held is a little hard to use at first but you get the hang of it rather quickly. I place it on the side of the blade and slide it toward the bevel until it comes into view. I'd like a nice stereo scope like Tarkus but the cost differential is not exactly insignificant.

Mine is something like this, except that it's from the 1930s not the 1950s:





I have a version from the 1970s too (similar to those below), but it just doesn't look as cool, and I hone for pleasure, so I use the old one: