60x - 100x RS Microscope -- Very cool!

[ziggy925]

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2179604

I saw this thing in a thread awhile back and got one. It's very small, very handy and has an extremely good image even at 100x, considering it only costs $12.

I've been looking at my knives with it and it reveals all the things we talk about but never really "see." Very cool.

 

[unky_gumbi]

Now you just need to get it hooked up to your camera and show us all

 

[Jason B.]

Gives you a whole new understanding for the edge, huh

 

[chococrazy]

Can I see a bur with this?
.

 

[dsmegst]

I've not been able to find one of these in the local Radio Shacks. So I ended up with a little hand held magnifying glass that goes up to 15x. I'm getting one.

 

[Dog of War]

When I began doing systematic edge retention testing a few years ago, I found that at around 100x magnification (actually 120x on the old 'scope I have) you really start to see what's going on with an edge. Specifically you can easily identify what I call microchipping, and can immediately tell when you've completely removed a wire edge, including the weakened steel just a few ten thousandths behind it. Right away I found the quality of my freshly sharpened edges took a big jump, and along with it not only sharpness but edge holding. So having a scope like this can radically help improve your sharpening technique, while giving feedback about the steel and quality of heat treat.

IMO a decent little microscope may be the best investment you can make in sharpening equipment and accessories for your knife hobby.

 

[gunmike1]

When I began doing systematic edge retention testing a few years ago, I found that at around 100x magnification (actually 120x on the old 'scope I have) you really start to see what's going on with an edge. Specifically you can easily identify what I call microchipping, and can immediately tell when you've completely removed a wire edge, including the weakened steel just a few ten thousandths behind it. Right away I found the quality of my freshly sharpened edges took a big jump, and along with it not only sharpness but edge holding. So having a scope like this can radically help improve your sharpening technique, while giving feedback about the steel and quality of heat treat.

IMO a decent little microscope may be the best investment you can make in sharpening equipment and accessories for your knife hobby.

+1. Once I got my Radioshack 60-100X lighted scope my edges suddenly got way better.

Mike

 

[krazichinaman]

I have one too. THey are fun to play with but I always have a hard time getting enough light and being stable enough to see the actual edge.