Loupe

[STF]

Hi guys,

I am about to get a new loupe, mainly because i can't find the batteries for my current one.

My question is what magnification do most of you recommend.

I have a 60x but if I am going to replace it, I feel I want the most recommeded type / style/ magnification etc.

The 60x works well but I have to play a bit to get it just right and the field of vision is very small. I have been known to hit the edge with it trying to look straight down at the bevel.

[BobH]

You will get a wide spectrum of answers to this one. Go to the Honing section and put "loupe" into the search box.

For me I like the Belomo 10X triplet with coated optics.

Bob

[jfk742]

I have yet to buy one, but the Belomo is the 10x I hear recommended most for the money. I have a decent 10x but not brightest view. I spend a lot of time trying to get the light to reflect off the bevel correctly so I can see the scratch pattern. Mine had a light until it stopped working.

Euclid’s recommendation for the Carson is a good starting place too. No matter your choice you need to be able to interpret what you’re seeing and that will just be practice and asking questions.

[gssixgun]

To me those little LEDs are a game changer while honing

I have been using those cheap 40x which I question the true magnification on, for at least a decade, I just want to use it while honing to check the bevel.
The LEDs make it fast and easy, the FoV is adequate for honing, if I want more it is to snap a pic using the USB Microscope not for honing really.

Anyway for about $3 they work for me

[Bill31521]

For sure. I have an 18x jewelers triplet that someone gave me. I don't use it. It doesn't have the light. The cheap LEDs rule imo. Although I don't use them for myself either. But I don't have any problem chippy or pitted razors as I only hone for myself.

[Gasman]

Ive used the cheep 60x, the belomo 10x ( the cheep one is slightly stronger but not 6x bigger), the hand held microscope Marty likes and a cheep digital microscope. I have the microscope set up so its in arms reach and easy to use so i use it with extra lighting.

But i will say they all do the job. I can share pics or save pics with the microscope so that is handy too.

If you go with the cheep loupe buy 4 or 6. Its cheeper than buying batteries.

[STF]

Thank you all for your recommendations.
As I said, I have a cheap 60x illuminated loupe.
I find with my loupe that I have to get very close to see anything, sometimes i have hits the edge of my razor when trying to see straitght down for sparklies etc.

My loupe has cheap plastic lens, which probably isn't a problem

I am still a bit unsure what to get next, I have heard a 10x is good and 18x through to a cheap 40x.
Only one has mentioned a 60x like mine so I can't help feeling that 60x might be a bit too much, appaently less magnification would leat me hold the loupe a bit further from the blade (?).

I think I would like a glass triplet lens this time because i have beard that they're a lot clearer but I will make sure that i can get the bateries cheap on Amazon before i get one.

Does this look like it might be worthwhile?

https://www.amazon.ca/Magnifier-Achr...%2C178&sr=8-16

[BobH]

Can't see why it would not work but have never tried that one.

Bob

[Gasman]

I bet the cheep 60x is more like 20x if that much. They are far from accurate. Like my usb scope. It was advertised as 320x. But i have compared it to real scopes and found it is really about 100x.

Whatever you get will work.

[thebigspendur]

Yea, for what you are using it for it will do.

If you stay with this hobby and want something better with optics it's magnification in relation to definition. The better quality the less mag you need plus then you get eye relief and a lens that will do with a simple light source or sunlight. But of course the cost is quite a bit higher.