Thread: Diagnose: Sharp but not smooth

Originally Posted by bonusmarple

I have the radio shack special handheld. What type of microscope would you suggest and what would I look for on the blade?

Basically anything 60x or better will tell you a lot.
Put a hair or whisker under the scope, when
you can see the scales on hair you have more
than enough magnification.

Look for the removal of scratches from the previous hone
by the current hone.

Inspect to ensure that the bevel extends to the cutting edge.

Sometimes it can help to change the direction of honing strokes
so it is easy to see the new hone erase the scratches of the
previous hone.

A problematic wire edge burr is also easy to spot. On coarse
hones in a progression a burr can be considered proof that the
bevel extends to the edge. As long as the last finish hone
does not leave a burr you are good to go.

Another thing to watch for are micro chips because they
are local dull spaces. Too many and an otherwise sharp
edge will not shave comfortably.