Thread: Just got my Stereo Microscope, very very useful (found problems)

I just did my first honing of a razor I bought off ebay, and it gave a very good shave. However, when I looked at the edge under 30x Magnification I saw about 1/2 dozen little micro nicks and one decent one.

Now I looked at it again with my eyes (20/20) and I could only barely see the 1, the rest I couldn't.

So, back to the hones. Put it on the 1k Norton until all the micro nicks were gone at 40x magnification. The did the progression to make it shave ready again (Norton 4k/8k Chinese 12k Strop)

Shaved even better!

The razor now looks just as good under a microscope as a brand new Mach3 or Fusion does at 40x magnification.

Welcome to the club of the magnified and enlightened! I consider mine to be an invaluable tool for every single razor that I hone. Nothing beats a stereomicroscope for ease of use. The depth of field allows you to focus simply by moving the razor rather than twiddling knobs so you get a better view faster.
Good buy!

I'd love to get my hands on something to be able to see what's going on,

I'm wondering if anyone has used one of these before ?




Something more in my price range, but if it wouldn't do the job then i wont waste my money

Originally Posted by netsplit

I'd love to get my hands on something to be able to see what's going on,

I'm wondering if anyone has used one of these before ?




Something more in my price range, but if it wouldn't do the job then i wont waste my money

I use one on my bench. It takes a bit to get used to it but it serves.

Originally Posted by mademperor

I just did my first honing of a razor I bought off ebay, and it gave a very good shave. However, when I looked at the edge under 30x Magnification I saw about 1/2 dozen little micro nicks and one decent one.

Way to go. Without magnification, at least a good eye loupe, a honer is in the dark. No pun intended. People would be amazed at what they can get a "good" shave out of if they could see it magnified. Having magnification really makes a lot of difference in getting that edge right and a truly smooth shave.

Originally Posted by netsplit

I'd love to get my hands on something to be able to see what's going on,

I'm wondering if anyone has used one of these before ?


Something more in my price range, but if it wouldn't do the job then i wont waste my money

If the magnification range is 60-100x, I'm not sure that's ideal because the magnification is too high. Personally, I think you see most of what you want to see at 20-40x because you can see larger areas of the blade with sufficient magnification. Then again, I've never used this scope and Ken has.

Originally Posted by Utopian

If the magnification range is 60-100x, I'm not sure that's ideal because the magnification is too high. Personally, I think you see most of what you want to see at 20-40x because you can see larger areas of the blade with sufficient magnification. Then again, I've never used this scope and Ken has.

I've got an old stereo scope second or third hand with 30x, a 30x and a 20x eye loupe and they serve the purpose well. I would like to get one of the better scopes with the 100x capability that you can take photos of your edges with. Maybe if the economy comes back around I will. Meanwhile the 30x is real good.

I use one of the 60/100x scopes. The Radio Shack variety: it works dang good, but you do have to "learn" it's quirks and idiosyncracies for sure.

How much was the microscope, mademporer? I soooooo want a stereo scope.

Originally Posted by Ben325e

I use one of the 60/100x scopes. The Radio Shack variety: it works dang good, but you do have to "learn" it's quirks and idiosyncracies for sure.

How much was the microscope, mademporer? I soooooo want a stereo scope.

$144 shipped 20x/30x/40x/60x (2 sets of eye pieces, 2 objectives)

Originally Posted by mademperor

$144 shipped 20x/30x/40x/60x (2 sets of eye pieces, 2 objectives)

Nice ! Where might they be found ?