Thread: Do honemeisters all use microscopes?

I am curious if the expert honers all use magnification to check the blades or use the thumb/hair test/shave as a measure of sharpness? Can you even be a honemeister unless you use magification?

Well, I'm no expert, but I use a microscope to see about nicks and unevenness in the edge and check the appearance of the edge. But I use the thumb test and hanging hair before moving on to a shave. For what it's worth...
Mark

I am new to honing but use a microscope to get feedback and find it essential for learning how to hone.

I found my honing improve tremendously when I started gazing at the results in the scope every 10-20 laps on the hone. Without that I had no clue to what I was doing right or wrong and could not maintain consistency or get a razor shave ready.

I think becoming proficient at honing without a scope takes longer due to lack of immediate feedback that a scope offers.

BTW, I use a good quality 50x inspection scope and find that I can see as much detail as I can in my QX5 at 200x, however the inspection scope is handheld, 50x shows more of the edge than 200x so it is easier to inspect the whole edge and it does not need a computer. I only use the QX5 when I want to snap pictures for posterity or posting in the forums.

Like all hobbies, you can't have too many toys.
Where could I get a good 50x inspection scope?

I bought mine from a PC board equipment manufacturer and overpaid for it ($120).

Here it is right from the manufacturer at a much lower price ($79). 50x Direct Measurement Scope

I would recommend "MICROSCOPE BASE POCKET W/ INCH RET". It has a reticle scale with 1/1000" gradations. Makes it easy to measure size of what you are looking at.

If you don't need the reticle and are on a tighter budget they have one for under $20. Although I have not used one so can't say what the difference would be Edmund's Own Precision Focusing Pocket Microscopes

If you want higher magnification and more functionality inspection scope check out this puppy (about $200) Peak Direct Measuring Microscopes

Or ones with built-in illumination ($295) Deluxe Illuminated Direct Measuring Microscopes

I just bought a clip-on LED reading light at Chapters ($10) and clipped in onto my scope to solve the illumination issue.

And a link to the whole section of the catalog if you want to browse for more models Edmund Optics (Microscopes)

A microscope or hand lens really tells you nothing about the shaveability of the razor only the physical condition of the edge which may or may not impact on the shave itself. Its the actual shave that is the acid test or as a more convenient method the usual hanging hair, thumbnail or arm shaving tests.

Using a handlens while honing is especially good when you are starting out because you have more feedback as to what your technique is either lacking or benefiting the condition of the razor. Obviously if the edge is full of nicks and has other defects you can assume you will not get a good shave. But just because the edge looks perfect under magnification does not mean its sharp enough to shave.

Just another thing to help in the honing process.

You have received some very good advice here!

I use a scope to tell me what my eyes cannot see. Minute dings in the edge of the blade, rust craters, uneven coloration of the bevel etc. Then during the honing process I stop every 25-50 laps and check my progress. I usually do this when using the 1000 grit to remove large nicks and establish a new bevel
then also on the 4000 grit. I seldom use the scope after that until I finish honing on the 12000. Then its just a "make sure everythings OK" inspection.
The scope is used to tell me the condition of the edge. It does not tell me anything about the sharpness of the blade. I use the thumbnail test, the thumb test and the hanging hair test as indicators of sharpness. The proof is always the actual shave test.

FWIW, I use a 30X handheld scope, Micronta. Good resolution and I can sit back in my recliner to use it.


Hope this helps,

Thanks for the links!

A couple of things came to mind as I reviewed these items.
1. Light source, My simple scope has a built-in top light. Without that It would be far less useful.
2. I need to move my scope over the razor's length or move my razor under the focal point of the scope for its full length. I wonder about that capability in these scopes.

Originally Posted by vladsch

I bought mine from a PC board equipment manufacturer and overpaid for it ($120).

Here it is right from the manufacturer at a much lower price ($79). 50x Direct Measurement Scope

I would recommend "MICROSCOPE BASE POCKET W/ INCH RET". It has a reticle scale with 1/1000" gradations. Makes it easy to measure size of what you are looking at.

If you don't need the reticle and are on a tighter budget they have one for under $20. Although I have not used one so can't say what the difference would be Edmund's Own Precision Focusing Pocket Microscopes

If you want higher magnification and more functionality inspection scope check out this puppy (about $200) Peak Direct Measuring Microscopes

Or ones with built-in illumination ($295) Deluxe Illuminated Direct Measuring Microscopes

I just bought a clip-on LED reading light at Chapters ($10) and clipped in onto my scope to solve the illumination issue.

And a link to the whole section of the catalog if you want to browse for more models Edmund Optics (Microscopes)

I have a scope, but use it rarely. For the most part, I test the razor after honing by shaving with it. Not a bad tool though. When I do use it, I stay at either 40x or 80x which is enough maginification to see overhoning, even bevels, striation patterns and any micro chips that would effect the shave. Have fun. Lynn

I don't consider myself a "honemeister" there are only a few on here that I think can truly claim that (the rest of us are just guys that do well for ourselves)-but I dont' believe you NEED a microscope at all. Its just a tool that can help. I have one and it helped me, and cost me less than 10 bucks. (the almighty "RADIO SHACK" scope) its a 60-100x illuminated pocket scope, they usually have them under the counter at Radio Shack. I forgot the model number, but when I bought mine they had them underneath, not on display. I'm sure those nice ones recommended above are cool, but no more than I use it, the 10 dollar scope is far more cost effective.
hope this helps,
John P.