Thread: USB Microscope: Worth a closer look?

I have a regular biological microscope that I've used at X100 to look at the edges on my razors. I'm a technical type that likes to know what going on so I can get my techniques right.
But it's not easy to hold the razor so that I can get the focus clear. So I'm wondering if anyone else thinks there is merit in getting a USB 'microscope' to check the edge?
Would a smoother edge give longer lasting sharpness?
I find that by the time I am done my shave, so is the edge of my razor. And I read of people that strop every few shaves. So something is wrong here.

To successfully use a microscope, you have to learn what to look for.

What do you mean my a smoother edge? Are you referring to less and shallower scratches in the bevel? If so, I don't think that has anything to do with how long the edge lasts.

I'm also not sure where you are reading about people stropping every few shaves; I know I don't read the stropping forum at all, but I do believe most members strop before every shave (some also after shaving), and I recommend stropping before every shave.

All that said, the edge shouldn't deteriorate over the course of one shave. What kind of razor are you using? Was it honed by a reputable honer? How drastic is the change during one shave? What's your shaving experience like?

(I know, a lot of questions, but there are a lot of unknowns.)

If your optical microscope is of much quality at all, you'll be able to get more use out of that than you will a USB microscope.
It's not any easier to focus the USB 'scopes; they also have a very shallow depth of field.

The advantage of a USB microscope is that you can take pictures of your edge and post them here.

I have the Veho and really like it.

Thanks for the input,

Are you referring to less and shallower scratches in the bevel?

Yes, I was thinking that there would be fewer peaks to get knocked off.

Tried setting up my microscope and take a pic with camera through the one ocular, 1st pic is of an old carbon steel Bismarck 504, currently my best shaver.

2nd pic is of a new SS DOVO # 41.
Still trying to get image of edge-on instead of sideways but no luck so far.

All that said, the edge shouldn't deteriorate over the course of one shave.

Right now I need 2 razors to get through my whole shave without pulling.
I have been doing 60 strokes on leather strop for the Bismarck and 100 for the SS DOVO.
Shortage of long hairs for sharpness tests here, (wife gets tired of me wanting hairs)
And my thumbnail test is not telling me much yet. Do you think I need to strop more?
Or try the linen?

What's your shaving experience like?

- > in terms of experience level, noob, but not bleeding yet.

What magnification are the two photos? Since the eyepiece was removed, it would just be the power of the objectives used.

The problem with using a microscope is that it can quickly become an obsession, finding minute fault with edges that are otherwise very comfortable and shave ready. IMO it is more important to learn how to hone and shave by FEEL rather than relying on visual cues.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

The problem with using a microscope is that it can quickly become an obsession, finding minute fault with edges that are otherwise very comfortable and shave ready. IMO it is more important to learn how to hone and shave by FEEL rather than relying on visual cues.

So true. I wouldn't advise the use of a microscope for a beginner, before he learns how to hone using sharpness tests. I had a few blades sent to me that looked so nice under the microscope that I was really surprised, and it didn't cut a hair. He was so addicted to the microscope, that if he saw some small chips on the edge, he lightly bredknifed the edge every time to get them out. So in the end he had a very straight edge, with a very polished bevel, but the bevel wasn't set, because he didn't learn to properly use even the TNT. I told him that he shouldn't care what the edge looks like if the test passes nicely, but he kept on using it.

Originally Posted by GreyBeard

... it's not easy to hold the razor so that I can get the focus clear....

Put a goose neck lamp on the table to provide a strong light source on the blade. Buy some play dough. Roll the dough into a tube shape about the length of the razor's blade. Push the blade spine into the dough with the edge hanging over the backside of the dough slightly. It is important that the blade be tilted slightly downward, with the spine higher. Place your microscope on the spine of the razor. With one hand, you hold the microscope. With the other hand, hold the scales. (You don't want the razor to pull out of the dough, which it will do occasionally, and fall. You can chip your edge.) Peer thru the microscope. Of course, the edge will be out of focus. So, with your non-scope hand, rotate the razor slowly. The focusing mechanism is the rotation of the razor instead of the focus control on the microscope.

The above technique works very well! The dough dampens the movement of the razor, but allows movement of the razor at your control. The first time you rotate the razor, moving the focus up the bevel, you will get excited at the ease. You can slide the scope down the razor spine - the blade edge is lower and won't contact the microscope - to view other areas of the razor. And, this also is quick and easy.

With a little practice, maybe 10 minutes, you will be able to view all regions of a blade, both sides of the blade, including the full bevel within about 60 seconds.

Worth a try...

(As an aside, the goose neck lamp can get hot! Put a potholder on it to protect your head from burns.)

What magnification are the two photos?

Objective = 10X, Ocular = X10 Magnification = 100.

Thanks will try the playdough and lamp trick.