Thread: Microscopes When Does Magnification Become Too Much of a Good Thing ?

I have one of the RS 60-100X microscopes too. I use it almost always at the 100X magnification. I can see the variations in scratch paterns usually, and more clearly at that setting. So, it's probably the limitation of it.

I think because I've been working a that mag level, I've gotten used to it, and have learned to interpret it. Looking at the same edge at a different level of magnification would probably give me a different impression of its state, especially if it was the only indicator that I was using to evaluate.

Just got a 200x led scope from Maplins £5.99. It has a little light defuser on the object end that helps evenly illuminate the object. it is also set to the exact focus point.
I find that after using it for a little while my hands get acustomed to moving it along the edge of the razor pretty well. I can definately see the effects of different hones scratch pattern.

I wonder how many of the microscope guys cried after letting those perfect pretty edges do what they're supposed to do: Cut through coarse beard hairs.

... or damaged them on the scope.

That little microscope from Maplins seems very uncomplicated.
Have to check and get me one.

I didn't read all the responses, but I'd be afraid, and would decline to hone someone's blade who has some crazy 2000x power electron microscope or 200. the edge of the blade looks like the surface of the moon for cryin out loud. Why in hell do you need to see your blade at 200x magnification, really. You can't justify that to me unless your some kind of metalurgist. So don't try it. Don't tell me you hone and need to look at the edge at 300x cause I ain't buyin it... What happened to the old shave test? At powerful levels magnification, a blade begins to look serrated anyway...

Jimmy, You can sharpen my razor's anytime! heck, I'd even let you tatoo me, you crazy B*******......
How's the weather in So.Fl? Looks like your getting it....

Originally Posted by Hillie

I wonder how many of the microscope guys cried after letting those perfect pretty edges do what they're supposed to do: Cut through coarse beard hairs.

Last night I took the Revisor I mentioned earlier and reset the bevel on the DMTE 1200. I then took it to the blue (with slurry) side of a green/blue natural coticule and finished on the green side. Shaved with it and it was very nice. This morning I took another look in the 30x and there were two micro chips that hadn't been there when I was done honing before the shave.

I will play with this one some more. My next move will be to start with the Shapton pro 2k and go up in the progression through 30k Shapton pro and see how it feels and looks. FWIW, I am satisfied that the 30x is adaquate for my needs since reading this thread. Thanks to all who chipped in.

Ooops! It's 100x not 200x
here it is 100x Microscope > Maplin

If you look at the right hand end in the picture of the microscope, you can see the cone shaped defuser/distance regulator. When you press the button, that cone is illuminated by an LED.

I have a lab microscope that I used to check my edges with while going through various stages of honing, but stopped using it, because the appearance of the edge at 200X had no relationship to the quality of the shave. Like Jimmy, I just use a 30X loupe now.

Originally Posted by zib

I didn't read all the responses, but I'd be afraid, and would decline to hone someone's blade who has some crazy 2000x power electron microscope or 200. the edge of the blade looks like the surface of the moon for cryin out loud. Why in hell do you need to see your blade at 200x magnification, really. You can't justify that to me unless your some kind of metalurgist. So don't try it. Don't tell me you hone and need to look at the edge at 300x cause I ain't buyin it... What happened to the old shave test? At powerful levels magnification, a blade begins to look serrated anyway...

Jimmy, You can sharpen my razor's anytime! heck, I'd even let you tatoo me, you crazy B*******......
How's the weather in So.Fl? Looks like your getting it....

Be happy to put a mark on you anytime you get down this way. I agree about the magnification. It is cool if you are into studying edges at that level but from a shaving point of view it isn't practical IMO. I guess if you learn to look at edges at high mag you'll learn what to expect from an edge that may look very serrated but shave well. Raining a lot every day here lately after a 3 month drought.

Originally Posted by zib

I didn't read all the responses, but I'd be afraid, and would decline to hone someone's blade who has some crazy 2000x power electron microscope or 200. the edge of the blade looks like the surface of the moon for cryin out loud. Why in hell do you need to see your blade at 200x magnification, really. You can't justify that to me unless your some kind of metalurgist. So don't try it. Don't tell me you hone and need to look at the edge at 300x cause I ain't buyin it... What happened to the old shave test? At powerful levels magnification, a blade begins to look serrated anyway...

That describes my problem about exactly: I have no beard!
Given that some of the geeks have a microscope at home, buy a blade
and later on post a pic of a 200 x pit in the bevel on some razor forum,
even naming the vendor (not me), I got scared!
But I got over it, hehehe
Just my 7 x loupe is a bit too bad.
Been thinking about a 15 x loupe but they are
a) rather expensive and
b) the frame is VERY SMALL.
So a 100 x cheapo thingy sounds just about right.