Thread: old skool magnification

Becoming weary of my handheld 30/60x for edge inspection, I'm taking another step.

Found a used microscope for cheap. Thinking it might be great for edge inspection during workshop activities. (I am most curious to see the butter dripping off that Toledo blade).

The phone apps all seem too hokey. The USB units get mixed reviews at the "entry-level" pricing. SO, i dropped 10 bucks into a old-fashioned manual microscope.

Looks like i can make an adjustable fixture to position the edges-for relatively quick, GOOD view of the edge. NO, it won't allow me to take pics and splash them all over the web. Just looking for another sweet edge or two.

This way, i'll inspect more and threaten my nose less.

Anybuddy else?

I saw a 3MP usb camera that mounts in the eye piece receptacle different microscopes/telescopes. Might be something you could look at down the road if you want to share your honing journey. I put one on my wish list for X-mass, but my wife just gave me a funny look and laughed

You're going to have fun! But be careful of TOO much magnification. I bought a USB microscope of sorts a few years ago and while it was very informative, I started to hone to that level of detail - and tripled my honing times. The problem was that suddenly I saw things that I couldn't see using a loupe and kept trying to get smooth bevels and edges at a highly magnified level. Nothing wrong with that, but it's darned near impossible to get perfectly smooth and polished results all the time down that close. The Aztecs got down to 1 molecule on their edges from what I hear but they were a lot more heavily invested in the outcome than we are for shaving! Something about cutting out a heart and having it still beat... It's certainly fun to see your own results at high magnification but be aware that you can chase an edge down a rabbit hole at high magnification unless you set some limits on yourself. Past a certain point I found that wonderfully sharp and smooth edges looked like ragged ebay specials. That said, if you do go for Aztec sharp, let me know, I'll be sending you a large pile for fresh bevels and sharpening!

Originally Posted by AirColorado

You're going to have fun! But be careful of TOO much magnification. I bought a USB microscope of sorts a few years ago and while it was very informative, I started to hone to that level of detail - and tripled my honing times. The problem was that suddenly I saw things that I couldn't see using a loupe and kept trying to get smooth bevels and edges at a highly magnified level. Nothing wrong with that, but it's darned near impossible to get perfectly smooth and polished results all the time down that close. The Aztecs got down to 1 molecule on their edges from what I hear but they were a lot more heavily invested in the outcome than we are for shaving! Something about cutting out a heart and having it still beat... It's certainly fun to see your own results at high magnification but be aware that you can chase an edge down a rabbit hole at high magnification unless you set some limits on yourself. Past a certain point I found that wonderfully sharp and smooth edges looked like ragged ebay specials. That said, if you do go for Aztec sharp, let me know, I'll be sending you a large pile for fresh bevels and sharpening!

What degree of magnification do you think get's you into the Aztec category, and what would be a more appropriate degree of magnification if you don't want to go overboard?

Originally Posted by Ludvig

What degree of magnification do you think get's you into the Aztec category, and what would be a more appropriate degree of magnification if you don't want to go overboard?

I put all but a quality 10x away,
I can see the teeth off a 5k hone if I use the light right (mine is an unlighted loupe)
I used to use a 30x but gave it up for lent

Originally Posted by pfries

I put all but a quality 10x away,
I can see the teeth off a 5k hone if I use the light right (mine is an unlighted loupe)
I used to use a 30x but gave it up for lent

I ordered a 40x with LED lights a few minutes ago (before I saw your reply). I will see how that works out. If it isn't very good I can just buy another one. At $3 I can afford both a new loupe and food

Originally Posted by Ludvig

I ordered a 40x with LED lights a few minutes ago (before I saw your reply). I will see how that works out. If it isn't very good I can just buy another one. At $3 I can afford both a new loupe and food

They will all serve you well, just don't get to wrapped up in it.
At higher magnification you can see things that for all shaving purposes are not there,
let the shave guide you to sharp and smooth the loupe is only one tool to help you achieve it although a good one.
Like I said the 10X, AHT, and TPT are what I use. My AHT is not consistent with the results I hear from others,
I will never tree top hairs coming off an 8 or 12k stone,
but I know what I need to see in these tests to achieve a close and comfortable shave.

Yes, and but

I mainly just want to see the buttery edge i have now. On that one razor...I want to see if i can see what sets it apart.

can't see the butter can you?

well i thought i'd try.

I do feel like the old 'scope will give as good or better a view than the 3$ loupe. I'll find out soon.

A decent low powered binocular microscope of around 10 diameters magnification is hard to beat.

Regards,
Neil.

Binocular microscopes are great, if I find one I plan on picking one up.

Most Microscope eye pieces are 10x, and can be taken off to work as a loupe, so if you pick up a microscope you may already have a 10x unlighted loupe.

Microscope adapters are available for some cameras, and you can find basic plans via google.

Have fun peering down the rabbit hole.

Jonathan