Thread: Microscopes Revisited

I have a microscope that connects to my computer via a USB cable. It magnifies at 50X and at 200x. It cost about $75 but in the UK.

Some of these microscopes are rubbish and some are of a higher quality. Mine is solidly made and gives great images. I agree X200 doesn't add much value because of the shadows and light reflections.

To be honest, I get the information I need using a 10x loupe. Not all loupes are made equal. Again they are either high quality or poor. Poor ones don't let the light do its job and usually are marked 10x but often only give about 6X magnification.

The BelOMO 10x Triplet Loupe Magnifier is absolutely top class and can be found at www.belomo.us It's reasonably priced compared to Bausch and Lomb and Nikon who also make good quality loupes. Sometimes a search on the net will get a lower price.

The trick when using a loupe is to hold the loupe near the eye and bring the razor to the loupe.

I agree with thebigspendur too - optical quality (resolution) is what counts, not just magnification: if you have a fuzzy image due to poor resolution, magnifying that image just magnifies the fuzziness, it doesn't improve the resolution. You can utilise a desk lamp for overhead lighting of an optical scope's stage - plus you don't have to lug the computer around with you if you fancy using the scope in a different location!

Regards,
Neil.

I've been involved in watchmaking for over 20 years. Using a loupe and having your hands free is essential. Try here:Magnifiers & Eye Loupes for Watchmakers

I use the headband with a 4x and a 10x loupe working on watches and have found it helpful examining razor bevels.

I just bought this

AmScope Stereo Microscope. 20,30,40,60x 10w Halogen Light & 10watt Tungsten light


BINOCULAR STEREO DISSECTING MICROSCOPE 20X-30X-40X-60X - eBay (item 200261446069 end time Dec-07-08 00:09:20 PST)

I definitely agree that a stereomicroscope, like the one above, is the most versatile and useful for razors. The greatest advantage of it is that you don't ever have to bother with focusing. Instead, you just move the razor up and down to put the region of interest into focus. This allows you to quickly place the razor into the field of view and then quickly scan the entire length of the blade. Another advantage of stereomicroscopes is that they are optically designed to have a greater depth of field. This again allows you to see what you want to see without any fiddling. My stereomicroscope has an infinitely variable magnification ranging from 8x to 64x. I have never felt the need to use any greater magnification than that for a razor, despite having ready access to scopes that can do optical 1000x magnification.

One suggestion: The optics on an old teaching stereomicroscope from a used lab supply store or a university surplus store is likely to have much better optics than any modern low end scope.

I've got an old B&L binocular microscope that goes up to 30X and a variety of eye loupes from 14 to 30X. I originally used them for checking tattooing needles for hooks and blunt tips and still do but now they serve me well for the razor's edge. I got the 30X that Kaptain Zero recommended from Widgit Supply. Real handy as it is large and gathers plenty of light. Eventually I would like to get a higher power scope to check out my scratch patterns more closely and perhaps take photos but the 30 allows me to be sure that my bevel is set, see chips or a burr on the edge so it serves me well. I find it an indispensible asset for checking my progress when I'm sharpening my razors.