Thread: Question about magnifiers?

I have a KPI Hastings Triplet loupe 10x.
I would like to know what a person needs to check as they hone a razor. Also if this is a good magnification. (Bevels look small). From what I have read a good 10x is better than more at a lower quality. Also that the higher magnification loupes had to be held too close to allow enough light. What do most people find good for this sort of thing. I don't know if I should keep this or look for something else.

Thanks

I have a 30x loupe with an LED light on it that I got off Amazon for $6. It works just fine for me, no problems with the light and I get a nice clear image of the bevel.

From my (VERY VERY VERY LIMITED) experience, checking the bevel with the loupe is nice and all, but I get more accurate feedback with either a thumbpad test or trying to shave arm hair.

I use a 30X lighted loop I got for about $10 delivered to my door..

If you are interested, here is the link:

Widget Supply 25mm 30x Chrome Teardrop Jewelers Loupe, Illuminated

Good luck mate!!

Mike

The rage here used to be a cheap microscope that was available 5 or 6 years ago. A microscope of any quality has it all over a loupe, no matter how good it is. Just not enough magnification in a loupe.

Once I got both, I never used the loupe again except for checking for pits in the blade, razor condition etc.

If you are interested, the microscope was a 60-100x with a built in light and adjustable focus and zoom from RadioShack. Slick, inexpensive unit, but don't know if they are still available.

For a starter magnifier, go with what "stonehenge" said & don't waste your $ on the loupes.

No magnifier will tell you how sharp an edge is. It will tell you the condition of the edge-bevel which may point you in the right direction however the most gorgeous bevel and edge in the world may not shave worth a damn.

With magnification it's resolution not magnification that's important. A quality 10x loupe will show you more than a poor 100x.

I have 10X, 20X and 30X loupes but usually use the 10X. I watch for the edge to "disappear". When there is no longer any light being reflected by the edge itself, and only from the bevel, I know I'm getting close. I use the TNT for confirmation but don't even bother with that until the edge reflects no glints of light.

I have a 50x or 25x Brock microscope that I have been using. I like it. At 50x I can't focus on the whole bevel at the same time clearly. A little piece of fuzz looks like a chip on the edge etc. The higher magnifications opens up a whole new world and is cool but I think it is unnecessary.

[QUOTE=thebigspendur;940893A quality 10x loupe will show you more than a poor 100x.[/QUOTE]

Totally agree. A 10x Triplet quality loupe is plenty for me when honing. The 30x and higher up cheap loupes they sell (China) equals a 10x triplet loupe. The quality loupes are more crisp too. I've been using a loupe for 34 years so my eyes are also trained to use one. That can make a difference off course.

A quarter of a century of checking tattooing needle points with an eye loupe has me, like Max, trained in their use, to where I find them very effective for examining an edge. I've got a 20x B&L hastings triplet, a 14x B&L Coddington ....whatever that is ..... and a Chinese 30x that I got at widget supply for $30.00. I used the one that is handy at the time and all are adequate or better. I've also got a B&L stereo microscope with 40x but I rarely bother to go to it. The loupes are so much handier.