Thread: When to stop on 1k stone

Thank you. What power loupes are used? I already have a stereo microscope

For me it's simple it really must easily shave hair along the full length of the blade time to hit the 3K.

It depends on the individual. I have poor vision up close so I tend to use my 60X, I think most are in the range of 30x to 60X with a few higher and lower. It is all about being able to see the bevel easily so a lighted loupe is my preference. On the bevel set you are looking at the apex or tip of the bevel but as you progress you look at the side of the bevel. Once you get the apex meeting perfectly along the way that does not really change, or at least should't, but the scratch pattern on the sides of the bevel does, showing the level of polish and the side view of the edge will also show how it becomes more straight as you progress. I have never played with a microscope, and know that many here do use them.

If anyone can link me to the thread with the good pictures, it would be much appreciated.

40X 25mm Jewelers LED Lamp Foldable Eye Loupe Magnifier Magnifying Glass Otpvs - Walmart.com

I use something like this and a strong light

When the bevel is completely set, 1. The bevels are flat, 2. They are in one plane from heel to toe and from edge to the back of the bevel, and 3. The bevels are meeting fully from heel to toe.

There are many tests, that will tell you some of this, but few that will tell you if all the criteria are met. As Larson says you can with experience feel or see some tell tails like, watching water or feeling stickiness, but learning the test takes time and you really need a foolproof test. Hair test are hit and miss and will not tell you if the whole bevel is set, only parts that are tested.

TPT is pretty fool proof but takes a long time to learn, Looking at the bevel from the side and straight down on the edge are the only test that will tell you if all three factors are met.

Failure to fully set a bevel is probably 95 percent of most new honer’s problems and cause of most of the threads in the honing forum.

Here is a good thread, Second Attempt at Honing, where a new honer took a bunch of great micrographs of the whole process from beginning to end and of all the issues he had. And what a fully set bevel looks like.

Once fully set, just remove each previous stria from the bevel without messing up the edge. Each progression will make the edge straighter.

And here is

Toxic’s bevel set test video

.

I use the TNT to test for the 1k. After that I focus on polishing the bevel on each stone so I don't really test between stones. It's all visual until the test shave.

Originally Posted by benjamin2515101

Thank you. What power loupes are used? I already have a stereo microscope

If you already have a decent stereo-microscope, then a jeweler's loupe will be of no benefit. At least, that is my opinion. I have a stereo-microscope and have used others' loupes at meet-ups and I am grateful for my scope!

I have a USB scope but use it only to document a bevel or edge or when teaching so we are all looking at the same issues. It is a pain in the butt, a loupe is quick and always on the bench for a quick look. Just takes a second to look.

Make it easy and look often, especially when learning.

I like a 60X lighted loupe sells for as little as $2 or the Carson, MiroMax 200 sells for between $10 -15. MicroMax is 60 or 100X.

You can pay more for quality, I prefer to buy several and have them through out the house and shop. I bought 10 of the 60X at $2 each, cheaper than buying the batteries. Both are lighted.

In comparison to a usb scope or a loupe, a stereo microscope is much easier to use, especially since it's what he already has.