Thread: Microscope for iPhone?

Thinking about getting This to look at the straight while honing.

I want something that I can snap a photo or two and post online for a

Honemeister to judge the edge.

Is 60X close enough to see the edge for a smooth shave?

I didn't even know they made such a thing for a iPhone Guess it wouldnt hurt to try it. It's not expensive

If you end up trying it please post pictures for us. I'd be interested in one if they are any good.

Eric.

It looks like the one I have for looking at bevels.

Remember that the only way to 'test' an edge is by passing it across your face with (or without) lather to see how comfortable it is.

Originally Posted by epd

If you end up trying it please post pictures for us. I'd be interested in one if they are any good.

Eric.

Will do! Just ordered it.

Well I finally received the microscope ... wasn't exactly what I expected. The pic had a cover that the microscope attached to the iPhone and when I got it I thought they for some reason didn't put it in there. lol, nope, they posted a pic with it but in the description it doesn't say anything about it. Oh well, it works just fine, just a little hard to hold and take a pic at the same time. But, if you take your time and have a steady hand it can be done.

This is my ERN up close, I think somewhere around 60X.


I wish I could have got a better angle while hold my phone and the microscope. The edge looks a lot better than in the pic.

It does shed some light on why a razor isn't shaving well.

If anyone is considering buying one like this, I say go ahead, it was well worth the $5 to me.

This thing is great! I really think it has improved my honing skills some ... maybe only a little, but a very slight improvement. This is my Shumate razor, it was from eBay, needed some cleaning and didn't shave ANY hair off my arm when I received it. Now, it pops off hair easily and I can't wait for my facial hair to grow so I can try it out. Anyway, I also figured out how to hold the razor, microscope and iPhone the best way to get the light to hit the bevel while taking a picture. Let me know what you think, please keep in mind that I have only been "honing" for a REALLY short time, so any feedback would be great.

Shumate #30


It's only a 60X microscope, I'm sure at a higher magnification the bevel would look a lot worse.

Where is the best place to get a high magnification microscope? I've checked out eBay and Amazon, most of the ones on there are around $30+, at least for a 100X - 400X. Is 400 close enough to determine if a bevel will give a smooth shave?

It's hard to tell from the pic, but it looks like the edge is oriented away from the scope. That wont tell you as much as having the edge oriented to the scope.

I've tried a lot of microscopes - up to 1000x. Good quality optics are far more important than magnification. There isn't much useful to see past about 50x with good optics, maybe 100x with lesser optics.
Also, if you get to the point that your considering investing a lot into a scope, look at stereomicroscopes. IMO a stereomicroscope at 40x is FAR more useful than a regular one at 1000x.

That said, there really is no need to invest that much. The big thing you're going to get is the ability to see micro-chips and serrations. What you have now will do that for you.

I'm gonna go ahead and be totally honest. I saw this picture ... and thought ... why is that razor wearing a wig lmao

Originally Posted by mhenson

This thing is great! I really think it has improved my honing skills some ... maybe only a little, but a very slight improvement. This is my Shumate razor, it was from eBay, needed some cleaning and didn't shave ANY hair off my arm when I received it. Now, it pops off hair easily and I can't wait for my facial hair to grow so I can try it out. Anyway, I also figured out how to hold the razor, microscope and iPhone the best way to get the light to hit the bevel while taking a picture. Let me know what you think, please keep in mind that I have only been "honing" for a REALLY short time, so any feedback would be great.

Shumate #30


It's only a 60X microscope, I'm sure at a higher magnification the bevel would look a lot worse.

Where is the best place to get a high magnification microscope? I've checked out eBay and Amazon, most of the ones on there are around $30+, at least for a 100X - 400X. Is 400 close enough to determine if a bevel will give a smooth shave?

I imagine it's quite hard to take a pic without moving. The first pic (Ern) is much clearer than the 2nd. Can't really tell anything about the Shumate.
The Ern however looks to have some tiny microchips just left of centre but sometimes a piece of dust may give that illusion.

I think the mag. is plenty. I use pretty low mag loupes while working. 8-10x.
I use one of the Veho 20-200x when I want pics but you cannot determine a smooth shave without shaving.
If the shave is bad & the edge looks bad, well it's further confirmation but a razor can shave superbly & not look so hot under the scope. Here are 2 Puma Edges. Both shave equally well but the first one looks more 'toothy'. Appearances can be deceiving.