Thread: What do you use to view the blade edge?

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Originally Posted by OCDshaver

I like a 200x microscope. You can really see what's happening well. When things are going well, you can see it. When a razor isn't holding an edge, you can see that too. To me, the 30x loupes are only good for admiring your work. I can't see enough to determine exactly what's happening.

OCDshaver, where can I find a 200x? Please let me know because I am very interested in it.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by kcarlisle

OCDshaver, where can I find a 200x? Please let me know because I am very interested in it.

Thanks!

http://www.amazon.com/Mini-Zoom-Ligh...00x+microscope

Originally Posted by kcarlisle

Mainaman,

What is the power of that one? I'm always looking for a better mouse trap, but it looks like that one is only 30x.

mine is 30x and works great for me.
I also have 30x -60x but it has blue LED that annoys me. It also requires constant focus adjustment so it stays in the drawer as a back up.

I use 2 microscopes. For honing assessment of the bevel and edge, I use a Zeiss stereomicroscope which has magnification ranging from 11x to 63x.

For assessment of hones by examining their effects on edges, I use a Brock Magiscope with magnification capacity of 20x, 40x, 50x, 100x, 200x, and 400x. The great thing about both of these scopes is that they have great resolution.

I'm going to sound as old school as Leonardo Da Vinci but I use my eyes and this.

I'm as blind as a bat; I can't even see the big letter 'A' on the eye chart un-aided (normally I wear contact lenses, and in the evening my glasses) but when I hone I find it best to wear no glasses at all and get up really close...

Originally Posted by kcarlisle

Attachment 189514Available on Amazon for $7.95

I have one of these too, although mostly I just use my eyes. I only use magnification for checking the edge on problem razors. Honing pretty much exclusively on coticules I've never bothered with magnification to help me judge my progress as I don't see the point, as strange as it may sound to some.

A X10 loupe is a good tool. A USB or conventional microscope would be better in theory but the loupe is easy to use and you won't get hung up on minute striations that probably won't affect the shave. In other words, if it's not visible on a X10 it really won't be an issue as regards shave quality.

It's all a matter of what you want to see. if all you want is the overall condition of the edge meaning chips and gross imperfections a 10x loupe is all you need. With optics resolution is everything. You can see more with a quality 10x loupe than a cheap 100x magnifier.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

It's all a matter of what you want to see. if all you want is the overall condition of the edge meaning chips and gross imperfections a 10x loupe is all you need. With optics resolution is everything. You can see more with a quality 10x loupe than a cheap 100x magnifier.

This is true. Utopian's stereo scope has less magnification than anything I use but is far superior. OTOH, his set up will run you a mortgage payment. Mine works well, for me, for under $10. So to compensate for the poor optics, I'm at 200X. So you can either up the optics and get the detail you want or up the magnification I guess. But, in my opinion, if you're working with one of these hand held options go for the higher magnification. I have a jewelers loupe that I never use, a 100x hand held that I used to use, and now the 200x. Until something more powerful shows up, this is where I'm staying....or until I run across a stereo scope at a very agreeable price.