I have to admit that several years ago when I started with straights that I thought about a microscope but in the beginning I just used a loupe and that as short lived as I found the easiest way for me was to shave with it and go from there.

I’m sure my edges are not on par with those that use these modern techniques but my shaves are very acceptable for my taste and the edges I have done for others seem ok as they seem to like them.