Factory edges seen through a USB-Microscope

[kwackster]

Making reasonable pictures with an USB-Microscope takes quite a bit of practice, so that's what i'm doing at the moment.
The idea for this thread is to show some pictures of untouched factory edges from various brands, so feel free to contribute if you have some as well.
This is the first one, a factory edge with a buffed apex on a Spyderco Paramilitary 2 in CPM-S110V steel and a measured edge angle of 30 degrees inclusive:

 

[HeavyHanded]

Here's a Stanley "Drywall Utility" razor straight out of the package at 100x 400x and 1000x

 

[Zemapeli]

Good stuff here. Kudos.

 

[cbwx34]

Nice... Looking forward to more.

Is that really a microbevel though? I think of a microbevel more as, for example, "sharpened at 15° with a 20° microbevel"... vs. a lot of factory knives that seem to be sharpened at X°, but then buffed at a fairly steep angle to remove the burr... and mainly on just one side, so the two sides won't look the same. Not exactly the same thing IMO. (Also what causes people issues when they go to resharpen a 'factory' edge).

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Nice... Looking forward to more.

Is that really a microbevel though? I think of a microbevel more as, for example, "sharpened at 15° with a 20° microbevel"... vs. a lot of factory knives that seem to be sharpened at X°, but then buffed at a fairly steep angle to remove the burr... and mainly on just one side, so the two sides won't look the same. Not exactly the same thing IMO. (Also what causes people issues when they go to resharpen a 'factory' edge).

That's what it looks like to me as well. Can see some definite rounding just behind the apex of the 'microbevel', which is what I'd expect to see on an edge buffed as such. Also looks quite a lot like the original factory edge on my Spyderco Manix2 in S90V.

That minor distinction aside, these are good images nevertheless. :thumbup:


David

 

[kwackster]

I just checked the other side of the bevel (the side i didn't take pics of because of the clip giving difficulties with focussing) with my Victorinox loupe and it looks indeed a bit different.
Will recheck with the USB-microscope tomorrow, but what i think i see is an incomplete more narrow "white line": some parts in between seem to be without, but there is also a piece of burr remnant just in front of the heel.
It's of course a buffed apex, must have been tired while choosing the words.
Posts edited.

 

[makariotes]

Nice pictures, thanks!

 

[weaponwh]

what magnification are those?

 

[kwackster]

This is the USB-camera i use:

On the housing it says 25X - 200X

 

[kwackster]

Spyderco Brad Southard black with a CTS-204P blade and a measured edge angle of +/- 35 degrees inclusive:

 

[kwackster]

Lenox Gold bimetal utility blade with titanium nitride coating on it's edge, which also has a microbevel.
The edge fits in the 25 degrees inclusive slot in my Tormek WM200 angle master.

 

[Czechmate]

Cool thread. :thumbup:

 

[ncrockclimb]

Cool stuff!

 

[coop1957]

Love to see these factory edges. Would like to see some polished mirror edges under the scope.

 

[jayjaytuner]

be cool to see a new rockstead edge

 

[fvdk]

Love to see these factory edges. Would like to see some polished mirror edges under the scope.

http://knife.wickededgeusa.com/forums/topic/microscope-test-aka-the-scope-showdown/page/2/

 

[eKretz]

I don't really have anything with factory edge anymore, can't add any photos of those. Here's a tip for those who aren't quite sure what magnification they're getting. Take a ruler graduated in 1/64" or 1/2mm and put it under the scope - then measure the same graduation on your screen with a ruler - divide your screen measurement of the graduation by actual size and you have your magnification level.

 

[HeavyHanded]

http://knife.wickededgeusa.com/forums/topic/microscope-test-aka-the-scope-showdown/page/2/

Nice pics - give some insight into burrr formation as well.

 

[HeavyHanded]

I have no more factory edges as well. Was considering some pics of my well used EDU just to keep participating...

 

[HeavyHanded]

Edited to keep in line with OP