Viewing the edge of a straight

[JGKC9AYC]

What do you guys use to get a good view of an edge?
I have a jeweler's loupe & a magnifying glass, but I can't get a good enough view.
Suggestions?
Thanks.

 

[jpcwon]

I use a 60x loupe with a light...seems to work well...

http://www.amazon.com/Jewelers-Ligh...1372701540&sr=8-1&keywords=jewelers+loupe+60x

 

[global_dev]

i use a 60-100x from radioshack with light and often go back and forth between the two mags.

 

[drmatt357]

http://amzn.to/10TEhXC

$54.99 as of today. Free shipping.

 

[jpcwon]

http://amzn.to/10TEhXC

$54.99 as of today. Free shipping.

I bought a USB scope but I need to find something to hold the blade steady under magnification...My hands are too shaky to hold it!! What do you use?

 

[drmatt357]

Just tape it down to your workbench:
make sure to fold the razor at around 90 degrees as then it won't wobble. The scope should be or nearly be in contact with the blade.

 

[jpcwon]

Why didn't I think of that...seems pretty obvious now that I think about it!!

 

[global_dev]

That is an interesting idea, I had been using a non skid may with a heavy rock to stabilize. I also like the suction cup stand. My USB has a crappy tripod.

 

[Gamma]

4x loupe usually works fine, also have 10x and 15x - working distance on the 10x is easier to deal with.
I also have a Proscope, don't use it much though.

 

[SliceOfLife]

I have a wesco tabletop scope. Works pretty well. A ***** to set up a camera on though. I've considered getting one of those usb scopes, they seem to take OK pictures for the price.

 

[rickboone1]

I have scopes and loupes. I'd get why jcp put up. Scopes can be too tricky to position correctly and your view is so narrow. Or a small viewing space. Loupe little larger and don't need to hold it to the blade while squinting.

 

[Fast Eddie]

I have three microscopes, illuminated loupes from 10x to 60x. For checking the edge as you hone, the 60x illuminated loupe is the cat's pajamas. You can be the proud owner of one of these illuminated 60x loupes by going to www.widgetsupply.com

 

[Alum of Potash]

I use a Bausch & Lomb Hastings achromat triplet loupe. 10x for the bevel and 20x for the edge. 14x gets me both and might be a nice, all-around economical alternative. These also allow me to use a wide range of light sources and positions, which can radically alter the supposed appearance of the bevel and edge. Once I discussed the subject of loupes with an optician. He spoke of commercial-grade magnification, which allows for inflated figures, and professional-grade magnification, which does not. These are professional-grade magnification. With these, what you see is what you get, right there in your own eyeball, rather than relying on an interface to enlarge an equivalent magnification (and most likely, a lesser quality image to start out with) 3x to 6x further on a computer screen.

 

[JGKC9AYC]

Perhaps I don't know how to use a loupe correctly, but it seems that I have to put the thing right up to my eye & the razor fairly close to the loupe. Makes me paranoid i'll slice part of my nose off!

 

[SliceOfLife]

Sounds like the same distinction between optical and digital zoom on cameras which I think more people know about.

That said, I'm not sure how exactly the mechanics of the usb scopes work (Seraphim might?), but the images SOME of them show seem to be nearly where I'd expect at the magnifications they quote, so I expect all are not created equal and some are able to reproduce the quality of optical magnification to the extent that the human eye can't tell a difference. Of course, you'd have to know which ones could.

 

[mikeadams]

Why didn't I think of that...seems pretty obvious now that I think about it!!

I'm afraid I wasn't that bright. I bought a different holder for mine that lets you move it up and down like a regular microscope, similar to this:

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/1021074495/USB_Digital_Microscope_with_600x_Zoom.html

Steve

 

[Mike H]

...it seems that I have to put the thing right up to my eye & the razor fairly close to the loupe.

Yes, that is the correct method.

 

[Alum of Potash]

Perhaps I don't know how to use a loupe correctly, but it seems that I have to put the thing right up to my eye & the razor fairly close to the loupe. Makes me paranoid i'll slice part of my nose off!

Yes, you have to put the loupe right up to the eye and bring the blade quite close. If it's any consolation, there is around 3/8" of loupe housing protecting your eye from the blade, and when shaving, you're actually putting the blade to your face without really seeing it. But as with many things, use common sense and be careful. With practice, it becomes second nature.

 

[life2short1971]

I used Play Doh when I was using a Veho. It held the blades well and I could make all kinds of adjustments.

 

[Wil]

What is the temperature of the light that you are using? Will different light sources give better results?