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.

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.

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.

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

I see there is some glare that may make it hard to see the model of it. It is an MM-200, 60-100x power, LED, lighted, zoom mocroscope.

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.