Thread: What am I seeing under magnification?

Okey doke. here you go. you realize that I can't take a picture of the magnification, right?

I just added a second pic, better lighting

When I used the RS I found a lot of different images. So much depends on how you hold it, how you look through, the room lighting, etc.

I'd suggest backing off the 100 to around 70-80, or just 60 as low as it goes.

Most often when seeing that light strip on the edge, sometimes a broken streak, other times continuous, or on both sides intermittently... after a good stropping it would disappear.

Whatever you are seeing beyond that may not really be there depending on how clear an image you are viewing; or maybe the streak of light we both think we see is not the same thing.

edit: looks like maybe a slight frown near the tail feathers

I'd suggest stropping and shaving that will put what you see in a clear light.

Originally Posted by kevint

When I used the RS I found a lot of different images. So much depends on how you hold it, how you look through, the room lighting, etc.

I'd suggest backing off the 100 to around 70-80, or just 60 as low as it goes.

Most often when seeing that light strip on the edge, sometimes a broken streak, other times continuous, or on both sides intermittently... after a good stropping it would disappear.

Whatever you are seeing beyond that may not really be there depending on how clear an image you are viewing; or maybe the streak of light we both think we see is not the same thing.

edit: looks like maybe a slight frown near the tail feathers

I'd suggest stropping and shaving that will put what you see in a clear light.

I'm not that far into it. I'm still at the bevel setting stage right now. This blade is afraid of butter.

No frowns. If anything very slight smile.

Goog

Ok here is a suggestion, back away from the lens and nobody gets hurt

Set your bevel by "feel", get it so it feels right, then look though the lens, You need to work your way through this "test" just like you do every other one,,, take it one step at a time, Bevel, Sharpen, Polish, Finish...work the stones till it feels right then look to confirm it...

BTW the most sure fire test I know of for a burr or rolled edge is a pin/needle...
Gently set the point of a pin on the face of the blade and move it toward the edge , check multiple points and both sides,,, If the pin catches at the edge you for sure without a doubt have a problem there... there is no interpretation for this test, it is a go/no go test...unlike the TNT or the TPT which takes practice too

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Ok here is a suggestion, back away from the lens and nobody gets hurt

Set your bevel by "feel", get it so it feels right, then look though the lens, You need to work your way through this "test" just like you do every other one,,, take it one step at a time, Bevel, Sharpen, Polish, Finish...work the stones till it feels right then look to confirm it...

BTW the most sure fire test I know of for a burr or rolled edge is a pin/needle...
Gently set the point of a pin on the face of the blade and move it toward the edge , check multiple points and both sides,,, If the pin catches at the edge you for sure without a doubt have a problem there... there is no interpretation for this test, it is a go/no go test...unlike the TNT or the TPT which takes practice too

As luck would have it, I have sewing needles in my desk (what...doesn't everyone?). Passed that test, no snags at all.

I reckon it's just keep going on the 1k for a while. My big concern is the state of the metal. There was serious rust on the blade at the start, but not on the edge (see pics). My worry is that I will have to remove too much material, or that the blade will never take a great edge. I guess I'll stick with patience.

Goog

Honestly I very very very rarely ever use more than a 40x loupe...

I love Jimmy's saying "If you don't like the looks of the edge, use less magnification my honing will get better" or something close to that...

Magnification helps, as you are learning and it shows a ton of mistakes, but as you get better and better at this, you will use it less and less.... except to gloat over your edges and post pics of them if possible

Magnification has helped a lot, as a beginner. I started by comparing my edges to professionally done blades so I could see what I am aiming for. I understand what you are saying about doing this by feel. This just give me one more piece of feedback.

Goog

Goog, I will be down Saturday. If you would like to meet up somewhere, we can get together and I'd be glad to take a look at this razor and see what you're talking about. PM me to let me know, and I'd be glad to meet up with ya. Will give you a chance to see my new razor and coticule too

PS: as Glen said, once you get the feel for it, you will shy away from the the microscope. It will come with time

Don't know if this helps but first pic is an incomplete bevel with a wire from initial grinding. There is a grey line as you mention.
Second pic is how it should look when the bevel meets.

This is true, the less magnification I use the better my honing is. Kidding aside, I do use it but what Glen said in post # 14 in this thread is right on the money IMO. The TNT followed by the TPT and the arm hair when you get to that point. I will check the edge for micro chipping or worse before I start and I will check every now and again as I am progressing through the process. Way less than when I first started to hone. Actually now I basically check with magnification when I start and when I finish. Sometimes only when I start. I am not looking for a simonized edge .... I just want one that shaves good.