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Thread: Using loupe for honing
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08-13-2018, 05:47 AM #1
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Thanked: 3222The need for good optical quality applies to loupes as well as microscopes. An optically good low powered triplet loupe with low distortion and coated lenses is not inexpensive. There are loupes and then there are loupes.
For me a low powered good quality loupe is enough to get the job done to my satisfaction. Higher magnification is alright once you have learned to hone. I say that because of the number of threads on this forum from beginners to honing using high magnification that appear to be driving themselves crazy by trying for perfection at high magnification. Seems like there are too many imperfections seen at high magnification that mean nothing to getting a good shaving edge. Anyway, that is just my impression of using high magnification at the start of a honing career.
BobLife is a terminal illness in the end
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08-13-2018, 09:34 AM #2
I honed my own razors successfully for a long time before I ever thought about looking at an edge under magnification. That's something that I learned here.
Magnification does two things for me:
1. Tells me when to stop. I'm sure that I did way too many laps before.
2. Quickly identifies problems that I previously couldn't really figure out. Points me to the part of the blade needing attention. Before, I just kept honing until all was well.
Since I know what a good edge looks like, I really don't need more than 10x to do what I need to do.Last edited by kelbro; 08-13-2018 at 09:36 AM.
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08-13-2018, 09:52 AM #3
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08-13-2018, 08:36 PM #4
I have a little experience with microscopes, hand held magnifiers, loupes and other stuff.
They all have their strong and weak points.
What I can tell you is for a couple of years this is my "go to" magnification.
Nice wide field of view and great optics.
On eBay for $8-9 dollars.
Here's a link : https://www.ebay.com/itm/US-SHIP-30x...-/323353337333
Pete <:-}"Life is short, Break the Rules. Forgive quickly, Kiss Slowly,
Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret ANYTHING
That makes you smile." - Mark Twain
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The Following User Says Thank You to petercp4e For This Useful Post:
Montgomery (12-23-2018)
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08-13-2018, 10:44 PM #5
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12-16-2018, 11:24 PM #6
BelOMO me down!
Using my recently acquired BelOMO 10x loupe has changed my honing life for the better. It's akin to finding a rare, bad-ass loot weapon in the Borderlands 2 video game when all you've used previously vanquished adequately at best.
Since I started to hone in 2012, I've always used a crappy LED 30x loupe that cost $5 but strained my eyes with poor quality optics. A 10x achromatic triplet simply blows away the 30x plastic crap in all regards. For me, those LEDs never worked well for seeing edges.
Turns out Amazon is presently running a 25% off deal on this loupe, so it's about $30 instead of just under $40. For those of you still using crap "30x" loupes, consider a small investment in certified optical quality glass (think camera lenses). Your eyes will thank you, and your honing results will no doubt improve as mine have.--Mark
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The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Speedster For This Useful Post:
bluesman7 (12-17-2018), BobH (12-17-2018), markbignosekelly (12-17-2018)
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12-17-2018, 12:06 AM #7
Just ordered one. Thanks Mark