Finally got a microscope

HwangJino

HwangJino

Joined
Dec 2, 2012
Messages
4,586
Ordered a cheap microscope from Amazon. This thing is pretty cool.
I can finally can see the apex of my knives.
Here is my yanagi, I can see that I need to flatten my apex a little.
I sharpen this knife at 8000 only.

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If you have a microscope for sharpening knives, then you are on a completely different level of sharpening, above what most of us mere mortals are on. Hats off to you Sir. Mad respect for you.

I watched a YouTube video once of an old Japanese man who sharpened Ancient Japanese Samurai swords. He was on a totally different level than anything I have ever seen. He made a jig out of plexiglass. He put the sword in a jig also. Then he took a piece of paper and dropped it through the plexiglass and just the weight of the paper made it split in 2 pieces. It was unreal sharp. And when he was done, the entire length of the blade was able to do that. I will never be able to get something that sharp, all by hand. I am happy that I can pop hair with my blades.
 
TwinStick said:
If you have a microscope for sharpening knives, then you are on a completely different level of sharpening, above what most of us mere mortals are on. Hats off to you Sir. Mad respect for you.

I watched a YouTube video once of an old Japanese man who sharpened Ancient Japanese Samurai swords. He was on a totally different level than anything I have ever seen. He made a jig out of plexiglass. He put the sword in a jig also. Then he took a piece of paper and dropped it through the plexiglass and just the weight of the paper made it split in 2 pieces. It was unreal sharp. And when he was done, the entire length of the blade was able to do that. I will never be able to get something that sharp, all by hand. I am happy that I can pop hair with my blades.
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Thanks!
Im always trying to get the best edge for my knives.
My yanagi is a chisel grind, so it has a very thin edge and low angle. After a good polish, when I cut printer paper, it makes very little noise, compared to other knives. I've been doing that for a long time to gauge how sharp the edge is, but now that I have the magnifier, I can see why. Ill post some images of other blades as well, even pocket knives. I have a pocket knife that has never been sharpened from the factory, im curious to see what the edge looks like.

Cool fact about katanas. When they outlawed swords in Japan, the sword makers turned to kitchen knives. The yanagi is about as close to a katana you can get in a knife, except they make only half the blade (not lengthwise), but instead of double sided, its ground flat on one side.
 
HwangJino said:
Ordered a cheap microscope from Amazon. This thing is pretty cool.
I can finally can see the apex of my knives.
Here is my yanagi, I can see that I need to flatten my apex a little.
I sharpen this knife at 8000 only.

cNtF8E1.png

brqJdvf.png

R2hX5Dx.png
Click to expand...
Nice to be able to see what you are actually doing to the edge, and also check whatever ya want up close. I like using mine, buddy just gave me this one a few weeks ago.IMG_9672.jpegIMG_9673.jpeg
 
How much magnification? I have a cheap 60x, and it helped me to be able to see what's going on at the apex. I almost bought a better one with higher magnification but never pulled the trigger.
 
HwangJino said:
Mine was like $20, it does exactly what I need it to do.
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I have a different brand but it looks exactly like yours. Performs well but hard to focus at high magnifications. I’m going to spring for one of the ones with a digital display. 2000 magnification.
I sharpened a Wusthof this past week. When I was done, I tested it on the BESS and got a reading of 30. That being so low I pulled out the microscope to see what was going on. At 1000 I could see burr fragments. I’m not sure how that made it sharper but after cleaning the edge it finished at 70. Respectful…
 
Outdoors55 recently did a video where he bags on those cheap digital microscopes. Normally I agree with most of this stuff I think he misses the mark on this one. He's comparing a cheap scope to his stack of expensive camera lenses and editing software that stacks a hundred images into one! Of course a $50 scope won't equal that, but it doesn't have to. My cheap jewelers loupes and no-name Chinese digi-scopes allow me to see the burr and evaluate a scratch pattern which is all I really need them to do.
 
HwangJino said:
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Those numbers are very misleading.
Digital "zoom' and optical zoom are completely different.
The cheap magnification do have their place but they are far from ideal.
If you go with the bargain option look for one with some sort of staging that will hold the devise and viewed object stationary while in use.
FWIW if you want a bargain for a more serious set up start watching local government and education auctions for surplus sales.
For the best results set up a preview and check function and suitability before bidding.
 
I'm definitely interested in Something.

I get a fair amount of Praise for my edges....but I mostly go by feel. And the sounds of cutting. It's funny how we can hear and feel differences.

My eyes aren't what they used to be, so I'm looking for help. Haha
 
For observing the edge of a knife and sharpening you don't need super high quality optics. You can pick up a My First Lab microscope on Ebay for often under $30.

These microscopes were a popular Christmas gift years ago and kids instantly got bored of them and put them away on a shelf, ask me how I know...

They do a decent job of 40x and 100x magnification and they will provide most people with a view of the knife edge they have never experienced and for most will help better understand sharpening and how the edges dull.
 
GrumpySoreOldBastard said:
Those numbers are very misleading.
Digital "zoom' and optical zoom are completely different.
The cheap magnification do have their place but they are far from ideal.
If you go with the bargain option look for one with some sort of staging that will hold the devise and viewed object stationary while in use.
FWIW if you want a bargain for a more serious set up start watching local government and education auctions for surplus sales.
For the best results set up a preview and check function and suitability before bidding.
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Yeah, manufacturer specs are usually wrong for a lot of things.
However, this does work very well to see your edge. And I have no motivation to spend anymore than what I paid for this.
For a knife hobbyist, its perfect.
If you have a knife sharpening business, MAYBE I could see someone spending more for better equipment, but why? This will see the edge perfectly.
 
Seedy Lot said:
For observing the edge of a knife and sharpening you don't need super high quality optics. You can pick up a My First Lab microscope on Ebay for often under $30.

These microscopes were a popular Christmas gift years ago and kids instantly got bored of them and put them away on a shelf, ask me how I know...

They do a decent job of 40x and 100x magnification and they will provide most people with a view of the knife edge they have never experienced and for most will help better understand sharpening and how the edges dull.
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This!
Honestly, you can see most burrs with a bright light...
I have only found a high magnification necessary twice since I've owned one. I have found lower magnification beneficial more often and especially when you're new to sharpening. It is fun to see your efforts under high magnification though.
I found the BESS tester way more beneficial in developing efecient and faster techniques. You can actually measure your progress.
Just saying, if you want to spend money on something that will potentially make you a better knife sharpener, buy a BESS and take notes.
 
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Gottagofishn said:
This!
Honestly, you can see most burrs with a bright light...
I have only found a high magnification necessary twice since I've owned one. I have found lower magnification beneficial more often and especially when you're new to sharpening. It is fun to see your efforts under high magnification though.
I found the BESS tester way more beneficial in developing efecient and faster techniques. You can actually measure your progress.
Just saying, if you want to spend money on something that will potentially make you a better knife sharpener, buy a BESS and take notes.
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I am the other way. I have found the microscope more beneficial than the BESS. If you have a smooth edge under 100x magnification it is a razor.

Really the most useful thing I have found the BESS to be good for was thinning out my sharpening stones.
 
Seedy Lot said:
I am the other way. I have found the microscope more beneficial than the BESS. If you have a smooth edge under 100x magnification it is a razor.

Really the most useful thing I have found the BESS to be good for was thinning out my sharpening stones.
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I use the BESS for testing after stropping. For general knife sharpening from an experienced sharpener there is no need. For folks learning how to strop effectively, if you like to measure your progress, and if you want to know if you can really get it as sharp as a Gillette, BESS can help.

Sounds like the microscope works well for you though.
 
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