Thread: 30k joolers loop

I use 30 k loop for checking bevel under 50 watt seeling light which works well. Question is do you guys check bevel with bevel facing downward and rotating slightly or facing up towards the seeling and rotating slight or both what is the correct or best way so basicly facing floor or facing upright towards ceiling.what is it exactly i should be looking for i no how to spot a nice even bevel and chips etc is there any thing else would help determin a shave ready edge

I do whatever direction I need to see it well. I guess usually bevel up and at an angle to the loupe. Here is a quote from randydance that tells what I look for,"The edge should be free of nicks and the bevel should go all the way to the edge. If you are using a hand held microscope then the bevel will appear as one color, if there are two bevels, old and new, then the light reflects off the bevel at different angles and appears as two colors. The scratch pattern should also be uniform for both the length and width of the bevel.".

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I do whatever direction I need to see it well. I guess usually bevel up and at an angle to the loupe. Here is a quote from randydance that tells what I look for,"The edge should be free of nicks and the bevel should go all the way to the edge. If you are using a hand held microscope then the bevel will appear as one color, if there are two bevels, old and new, then the light reflects off the bevel at different angles and appears as two colors. The scratch pattern should also be uniform for both the length and width of the bevel.".

when you say scratch pattern uniform for width of bevel i take it means the scratch should go all the way ax the bevel and not brake up some pictures would be help ful i guess

Gary,

I use a 10x loupe because you don't have light problems.
Holding the loupe near to the eye, I bring the blade to the loupe until it is in focus.

Looking at the bevel, I look for a perfectly flat V and ensure it runs the length of both sides of the blade. I look at the scratch pattern or hopefully lack of it and ensure a consistency across the bevel surface. Finally I look at the edge of the bevel and blade and look to ensure there is no burr and that the edge looks sharp. You get to know what sharp looks like by examining razors that have an edge that shaves comfortably.

Not all loupes work he same and cheap Chinese imports often magnify a lot less than the stated spec. This leads many to go up to a 30x loupe but that brings a light problem and makes the loupe much harder to use.

Honestly, I'm incredibly impressed that you can even use the 30x.

I use the black marker test and the loupe to make sure the edge is being honed.

When i get it in right place its fine but fiddly i might get 10k

Originally Posted by Leighton

Honestly, I'm incredibly impressed that you can even use the 30x.

I use the black marker test and the loupe to make sure the edge is being honed.

It is fiddly but it does come in handy i use black marker but loop helps see the egde in good detail

Originally Posted by English

Gary,

I use a 10x loupe because you don't have light problems.
Holding the loupe near to the eye, I bring the blade to the loupe until it is in focus.

Looking at the bevel, I look for a perfectly flat V and ensure it runs the length of both sides of the blade. I look at the scratch pattern or hopefully lack of it and ensure a consistency across the bevel surface. Finally I look at the edge of the bevel and blade and look to ensure there is no burr and that the edge looks sharp. You get to know what sharp looks like by examining razors that have an edge that shaves comfortably.

Not all loupes work he same and cheap Chinese imports often magnify a lot less than the stated spec. This leads many to go up to a 30x loupe but that brings a light problem and makes the loupe much harder to use.

I have noticed the serrations all go in same direction and after honing are only very faint would that be ok reducing scratch pattern does that create smoothness

I use this loupe here . It is 30x with an objective of 21mm. It has triplet lenses and is of a high quality. I put the loupe up against the spine of the razor at the hinge of the loupe. Then I bring it to my eye. I use a lamp to provide light. I may have to angle everything to get the desired result. To look at the reverse side of the blade I use a bit of a different technique that I can't describe easily ......so I won't. If you have one you'll get the idea when you fool with it.

I use a 20x by BelOmo, from amateur geologist. I love it so much I bought a 10x. The 20x is a quadruplet loupe, IIRC. The picture is very clear, I highly recommend it if your looking for a loupe.

I made the comment about the 30x because I can't see a higher magnification offering anything more without going to a full microscope. Its hard enough focusing the 20x.

That, and most of the reviews I've read about the 30x loupes put them at 20x or 15x true magnification.