Thread: Edge Photo's after 1K and then finished

Mike (MJSorkin) stopped by yesterday for a nice visit. He is very passionate about honing and we had several discussions over coffee. The discussion motivated me to hone some razors that needed work.
The first one I worked on was a BB Damascus. The edge seemed to have an chip in the bevel and I wanted to remove it. I taped the spine and took it to the 1K Choosera. I used some slurry and in no more than 15 passes, the chip was gone. I took a picture of the bevel at this point. You can see the bevel is well defined and you can see the scratches in the steel from the Choosera as well as the pattern in the steel.

The lighting was not changed nor the location of the camera. I tried to get the same location on the razor the best I could.

TEST: Nice shave, removed a 2 day growth comfortably. BBS Shave.






This photo is after the 3/5/8/12 , Crox, felt and leather. I was amazed at how much the edge was polished. I did about 20 passes on each stone and Crox and 50/50 on felt and leather

Just a simple question: how did you take those pictures? Did you use a regular digital camera or a USB microscope?

However, good job! Wishing I could see a picture of the whole beast! ;-)

The SS's are hard to beat for actual polishing, especially on the newer razors and harder chippy steels IME ..

Really nice pics I would love to here how you did them too, I am about ready to buy something I can take edge shots with

Edge shots at high res usually make me think of making sausage .... if you know how they make it you don't want to eat it ..... Those are the best shots I've ever seen and the bevels are beauteous.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Really nice pics I would love to here how you did them too, I am about ready to buy something I can take edge shots with

I too am kind of obsessed with the edges when I hone my razors and many times I thought of taking pictures of them, just to see "what really happens there". I guess this subject has been debated in this forum already, however, advices from other users who are doing this are highly appreciated.
I have always been tempted in buying a USB microscope and the only thing keeping me from buying one is that, to me, the only and final test to see whether the honing is good or not is the shave test.
However this something which have always attracted me. Although, I understand it could be completely useless from a honing point of view. But you know, gents, I am such a curious person.... ;-)

I used a Veho USB Microscope to take the pics. I have some pretty good lighting I moved around until I could look at the Laptop screen and was happy with the picture. I think the key is moving the razor, not the microscope. I wanted to avoid the "lighting is different" issue so I did not move anything except the razor until I took all the pics.

Glen, I took your advice and did figure 8's on the hones and used the slurry. I am very please with the edge...not quite at the Escher level, but close.

Razorguy, here is the full monty.

Originally Posted by Mvcrash

Razorguy, here is the full monty.

Thanks for the "full monty" show! :-)

So I am now considering to buy a USB microscope. Ok, message received. Any suggestion on magnification?

veho VMS-004D 400x USB Microscope VMS-004-DELUXE B&H Photo Video

Originally Posted by Mvcrash

veho VMS-004D 400x USB Microscope VMS-004-DELUXE B&H Photo Video

Many thanks!

Jeff, I had a nice visit too as always.

Beautiful pics. The bevel looks absolutely perfect.

Michael