Thread: Magnification

Stainless is hard but don't under estimate a good sharpie and set that dang bevel also what stones are you using? It's going to take forever on a 4000 and stainless needs pressure to set that bevel.

Originally Posted by Bayamontate

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IMO, loupes are most useful to see what's wrong the edge or bevel than what's right with it. Uber magnification creates more questions than it answers. That said, I use the Fujifilm Professional 4K loupe, I see what I need too see, nothing more, nothing less.

For me it doesn't create more questions. it WILL uncover more hidden problems. But when you know what you're looking for, its a lot easier getting to that moment when you say "ah HA, got it". At higher magnification, I look for two things. 1) is the edge straight? 2) is it clean? If there are still dips and peaks, the edge isn't straight yet. If the edge is showing that it appears frayed and overly serrated, its not clean. The scratch pattern will change and get polished away as you progress. The normal bevel setting tests all still apply. But when things are not going well, I can usually see them. Its usually (for me) an issue where the edge is not holding up well. You develop it so far and then it crumbles and falls off. In those cases, you can either back off of the last finishing stone or make adjustments to the spine with tape to give it a micro bevel with more strength. The adjustments and fixes are up to you. But the magnification will help you determine what is happening.

A 30x loupe should be enough, any more and there is a real chance you will drive yourself crazy.... lol

When you are learning more, is more better. Really all you need to see is the edge, looking straight down on the edge, looking for shinny spots, chips from the side and ensure you are honing all the way to the edge.

With sharpie ink, much of this can be seen with the naked eye, sunlight or strong light. Any magnification makes it easier, much easier. But over 60X is difficult to hold steady and as said can make you crazy.

After 8k your edge begins to really get straight, it is here the arms race begins and for some an endless quest for laser straight edges and uniform or free of stria bevel. One has to decide for themselves, if the extra work and expense is worth the result… in the shave, not so much in how it looks.

Worth the effort, or not, you will learn a lot about creating a shaving edge, there are many ways to get there…

Actually if you have a quality magnifier with good eye relief and a nice bright field of view 10x will show you all you need to see.