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

Hi!

I would Ike to look at the razor edge after stopping (and on the new shave ready razor I have coming) to see how the edge looks and better understand what a sharp and unsnarl edge looks like. I also plan on trying honing (I read a bunch of pages, but will still have some questions on how to get started - a bewildering set of choices - will start a thread on suggestions on getting going). I'd like to be able to examine the edge before/after honing.

So... What do you use?
A loupe or microscope?
What magnification levels work? 30x? 60x? 100x?
Illuminated?

I just looking for something simple that I can use (and not struggle trying to see the edge).

Suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

PCM

as much as i dont want to admit , i use just a standard magnifying glass .. probably 6x , i have a a 10xor 20x but seems how i dont go honing razors for others unless i feel a ruff edge on my face after a 6x check and just how bright a reflection i get in the light i dont check for perfection other then how the hair comes off my face and how it feels ..lol usually this is the case !!

i do find myself on occasion using the 10x or 20x on older wedges though , for some reasons the ones i have picked up have almost all had micro chipping on the edge that isnt visual to the naked eye ...

but again i just hone for myself so long as i get an edge to were " I " want it i skip all the close inspection ..

BTW.. i think in the show and tell there is a link to a nice loupe !! check it out .. looks pretty nice !

Available on Amazon for $7.95

Just a cheap loupe but I don't remember the power, in the 20x -40x range I think.

Bob

I use this one


can be found on Amazon, my first one I got from ebay.

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.

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 not sure if my edit took so I wanted to still reply. I thought I bought mine on ebay, but it must have been Amazon. This little microscope works like a charm and I'm pretty sure you will be very satisfied with it. I was checking out all kinds of digital microscopes and found this one gave the best magnification, but couldn't record it because it wasn't electronic. I bought mine several years ago, so maybe there's something digital available now.

I use something similar to this, nothing trick or expensive but it gets the job done and done well.

Amazon.com: Illuminated Jewelers Eye Loupe 40x-25mm with Led Lighting: Office Products