Loupes

[Leche]

I want to grab a loupe and see prices on the bay ranging from a few bucks to a lot with shipping. So for what we are doing does it matter? I think Henry has recommended 20x in the past, but is 30x better? Just looking for a little direction.
Thanks

 

[ambrose]

Depends on what your trying to do. For most people a 10x or 20x is plenty. I actually have a few in 10x 20x and 30x if your interested Ill hook you up. I dont use them anymore.

 

[r0ckrat]

Drop into your local photo supply shop, and take a look at what stock they have. Or a local graphic arts supply store.

 

[leighton]

I don't see any need to go beyond 10x.

 

[Muirtach]

I picked up a set that went from 2x to 10x from my local harbor freight for 5$. Off the top of my head they came as 2x, 3x, 5x, 7x and 10x. The 10x is great and while I can see a higher magnification being handy, it works great for helping me get my edges that much better. Well that and beign able to lap my barber hone with the new dmt xc/c I picked up

 

[persco]

I bought a cheap one at Lee Valley. It's a lighted 15X loupe and it works great. Having the light source built in to such a small unit is really helpful. Looks like this.

s.

 

[English]

I use a 10x loupe that works at 10x. It is perfect and you don't need more.

Moast of the e bay ones say 10x but actually are much less, about 6X which is not sufficient.

The real 20x are much harder to focus and use. It's all about light and hand shake.

 

[spanx]

I want to grab a loupe and see prices on the bay ranging from a few bucks to a lot with shipping. So for what we are doing does it matter? I think Henry has recommended 20x in the past, but is 30x better? Just looking for a little direction.
Thanks

Don't waste your time on those cheap ebay loupes.Get one from a local jeweler or a jewelry supply catalog.Prices can vary from 20 to 400 dollars depending on the magnification and fancyness.Jewelers use excellent optics cause their profession demands it.

 

[Dave_D]

eBay has some great loupes (Belomo for starters) I would start with a 10x first which will probably work for 90% of the work necessary for razors. I wouldnt count a 20x out, they take a little practice to use but are useful as well.

 

[shyrlock]

Just remember that as the magnification increases, the working distance decreases.
How close to your face do you want your razor?

 

[DougK]

I have a 10x hand lens I picked up from Kooter's Geology Supply, specifically the "Value 10X triplet magnifier" with the 18mm lens. It works pretty well and the price is right, although the 7x Bausch and Lomb hand lens would have been just fine for my uses as well.

 

[Fnord5]

Just remember that as the magnification increases, the working distance decreases.
How close to your face do you want your razor?

Preferably at the exact level of my skin.

I have a 20x, that I only use to inspect antique store finds, and to check progress on bevel setting.

After that, it's all about the feel of the edge on the stones, or skin.

 

[English]

eBay has some great loupes (Belomo for starters) I would start with a 10x first which will probably work for 90% of the work necessary for razors. I wouldnt count a 20x out, they take a little practice to use but are useful as well.

The Belomo is the one I use. Just fantastic quality for the price. Actually, I doubt if you will better the quality at any price. The Nikon and the B&L are similar quality but expensive.

 

[gurana]

I was going to post a similar question... I did a search on amazon and was a little confused to see 30x loupes and 30x handheld microscopes for about $3 and $5 respectively... seemed quite a bit lower than what I was expecting, so I was a little skeptical.

 

[leighton]

I was going to post a similar question... I did a search on amazon and was a little confused to see 30x loupes and 30x handheld microscopes for about $3 and $5 respectively... seemed quite a bit lower than what I was expecting, so I was a little skeptical.

The 30x loupes you see are most often than not, not 30x. IIRC the 30x refers to focal distance or something else. Either case, its not 30 magnification.

The 30x might mean 30x20mm now that I think about it. One number being the diameter of the optic and the other number being the focal distance. Then theres some formula for figuring out the magnification.

 

[gurana]

The 30x loupes you see are most often than not, not 30x. IIRC the 30x refers to focal distance or something else. Either case, its not 30 magnification.

The 30x might mean 30x20mm now that I think about it. One number being the diameter of the optic and the other number being the focal distance. Then theres some formula for figuring out the magnification.

Damn. I was really hoping to just be able to pick something that said "30x" and be assured I would get 30x magnification (or 20x, or 10x...). this just means I'll have to actually learn something about loupes (well regarded manufactures, retailers, nomenclature...) This isn't really a big deal, but with trying to get up-to-speed with razors, strops, hones, etc., it's just one more thing.

 

[leighton]

Damn. I was really hoping to just be able to pick something that said "30x" and be assured I would get 30x magnification (or 20x, or 10x...). this just means I'll have to actually learn something about loupes (well regarded manufactures, retailers, nomenclature...) This isn't really a big deal, but with trying to get up-to-speed with razors, strops, hones, etc., it's just one more thing.

Just buy a BelOmo and be happy. The 10x or 20x will both work for whatever you want it to. Like I said, I use the 10x much more often than the 20x. The 20x is basically my toy.

A true 30 magnification loupe with worthwhile clarity is going to be over $50, probably over $100. At that point, might as well just buy a 'scope.