Thread: Hello from Rescue CA

Hello and thanks to all those with kind words and great advice in advance!!!


I have also been reading alot about the subtle (but usuful) use of microscopes in the maintenance of edges via hones and such.

I have heard everything from 30x jewlers piece (the small pocket type with the flip out reticle) to the 60x (seperate LED light attatched to the lense from China)....

How necessary or unessessary are these and would they be a good investment?

Chris ....Resce

Originally Posted by jctpage

I have also been reading alot about the subtle (but usuful) use of microscopes in the maintenance of edges via hones and such.

I have heard everything from 30x jewlers piece (the small pocket type with the flip out reticle) to the 60x (seperate LED light attatched to the lense from China)....

How necessary or unessessary are these and would they be a good investment?

Chris,

There's a good discussion here http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...ification.html

You can get an inexpensive magnifier at Radio Shack, and you'll see some info on that in this particular thread. However, I happen to use a loupe with a built in LED.

If that thread does not meet your satisfaction, you can also do an advanced search for terms such as magnification, loupe, microscope, magnifiers, etc.

I hope this helps some.

-Mark

Well....It worked out great (following the threads and found exactly what I am looking for) a 30x LED loupe on ebay for $5 (and it's in a case, and the loupe is metal not plastic....so good deal!!!

-Chris

BtW!

Does everybody use a piece of tape on the spine when doing the "Continual" honeing needed for the razor? (as per whippeddogs article?

jctpage,

I'm not a honing expert, so understand this. However, if you don't know where the bevel is, which is basically the angle of the edge, I suggest you get a sharpie and make a small mark around the very edge of your razor. Then you can proceed to make a few x-strokes on your barber's hone. If you see that the sharpie's mark has not been removed, then you can put a layer of tape on the heel of the blade and try again. You're seeking the proper angle for the bevel.

Remember to use no pressure. You should seriously consider browsing the wiki and read this article specifically: Beginner's Guide to Honing - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Also, if I were you, I'd consider having your razor professionally honed so that you can keep the number of variables that you have to control as a new straight razor reduced to a manageable level. If you incorrectly hone your razor at this stage of the game, you'll never really know why your shaves aren't improving or what you need to correct. It's best to keep things simple for now.

Just my humble opinion as a fellow student.

-Mark

hello and welcome