Thread: What do I look for in the Micscope when its done?

Those batteries are probably weak--usually manufacturers use those cheap "heavy duty" batteries, not good alkalines.

Cool that there's another member in Pixburgh: I work up the road at Robert Morris U.

Josh

Thanks for the input. I used the scope to look at my edges after putting all through 20 laps on the 12,000 stone and 40 passes on Tony's bench strop with .5 micron paste, what I hear is about 50,000 grit.

Very smooth bevels with very straight even edges. Today I had a very nice, easy shave with a razor that has been sharp, but not as sharp as now.

I looked at some other edges on razors and found some nicks etc.


Still haven't figured out the black ice thing.

Trying to keep the edge in view with that scope is really a chore!!! I keep wandering around.

Kimo,

It can be a little jittery. Try this: Lay the razor down on a desk. Then hold the scope in both hands and brace your elbows on the desk. Don't bother with the focus wheel--just move back and forth until the edge is in focus.

The "black ice" look occurs when the bevel bounces light away from the lens of the microscope. Try tilting the scope at different angles relative to the razor. Some angles will make the bevel look really bright and others will make it look dark.

Josh

The technique I use is to close the scales slightly about 50 degrees until the blade is flat and the edge is facing me. I then plant the lens/light side down on the table right over the edge. The micro actually touches the table. I touch the other side down right on top of the spine. Complete stability. Geometry keeps the edge completely safe, unless you slam the microscope into the edge on purpose. Make sure the blade edge doesn't rise off the table from leverage, if it starts to you need to lower the angle of the scales.

I can also flip it (the microscope) around, touch down on the table and move the lens apature up and down for finite focusing.