Thread: Loupe use?

USB scopes are great, give a lot of detail and have, really come down in price.

But, they are slow to use, and you don’t always need that level of magnification or detail, as when honing and you just want or need a quick look.

You can’t beat an hand held loupe or scope for a quick look at a problem area.

I only use USB scopes for documenting an edge or when teaching so we are all looking, at the same thing, at the same time.

I've got a 50+ year old 20x jewelers loupe I got from my dad. With my eye on the loupe the focus is about 1.5" from the blade so no danger to the edge. It's enough power for my needs, I can see the scratch pattern and holding the edge up to a light in silhouette I can see any micro chipping

i have a usb scope and found the stand that came with it was hard to adjust and flimsy. after i made a more solid one out of wood and a magnetic holder for the blade it made it easier to use and less prone to hitting the blade. that being said; i find my 30x loupe to be more useful and easier to use.

Originally Posted by rodb

I've got a 50+ year old 20x jewelers loupe I got from my dad. With my eye on the loupe the focus is about 1.5" from the blade so no danger to the edge. It's enough power for my needs, I can see the scratch pattern and holding the edge up to a light in silhouette I can see any micro chipping

This is exactly what I do, except that I use an ~11x achromat instead. I'm glad to hear that viewing the edge in silhouette works for someone else as well. I find 8x to 14x to be more forgiving with regard to microchips ;-) and makes it easier for me to see the bevel by reflected light. Gotta be an achromat...

I was able to come up with some 60 mil thick adhesive backed foam and put that one the business end of the scope and problem solved! I was able to focus on the side of the blade with the foam on and the depth away from the razor edge was already set by the foam and bam. I looked at the wedge I just honed and straight down on the edge it is a black line no shinny or reflection. I then looked at the razor shaped object I have for playing with and all kinds of shinnies and reflections! Thank you so much for all your suggestions and thank Euclid for the link about the foam after reading it again I realized I had already read it in the past and that is what was needed. This way I don't ding my edge and the space from scope to razor is built in. Thanks again gents

I put my eye on one side and the razor on the other...

Sorry, I'm in that kinda mood ;/

Originally Posted by Euclid440

But, they are slow to use, and you don’t always need that level of magnification or detail, as when honing and you just want or need a quick look.

You can’t beat an hand held loupe or scope for a quick look at a problem area.

Hear, hear, the voice of reason !! I own a USB scope, and a jeweller's loupe, and I found out that the latter is all one actually needs for honing. 60x Magnification is overkill imo.