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Magnifying loupe

W

wilejoe

Joined
Aug 8, 2013
Messages
62
Hello all. I just got a KME knife sharpener due to recommendations from here. So far I like it very much.
I'm looking to get a basic magnifying loupe to make sure that I have the correct angle when sharpening my assorted knives.
I'm not looking to get my knives super sharp and mirror like, just a very nice sharp edge.
Can someone recommend a loupe that's in the $10 to $20 range. If I need to spend more to get something decent please feel free to let me know. I'm only a beginner and I'll take all the advice I can get.
Thanks
Joe
 
I have been very happy with my 15x lighted loupe from Lee Valley. It's $29.50 + shipping, so a bit more than you were wanting to spend, but it's a quality piece. Lee Valley has free shipping specials (on orders over $40) pretty frequently.

Andrew
 
I've been doing some reading and have a few questions.
What magnification is the best. Is the triple glass really that much better? Lighted or non
thanks once again
 
If you're setting an edge angle based on the blade geometry, the steel quality and the type of use you expect of your knife, you don't need a loupe. You choose the edge angle that matches your needs and set the KME to that angle. You may want an AngleCube to make sure the actual stone angle matches your target angle.

If you're trying to see whether your stone angle matches the existing edge angle, a good loupe is helpful. But it doesn't have to be very powerful. In fact, the more powerful the loupe, the more difficult it is to use. I use a Zeiss aplanatic 10X loupe with anti-reflection coating. The optics are excellent, but the view is narrow.

If you use a Sharpie to paint the edge before sharpening, it will be very easy to see -- either by naked eye or with a low-power loupe -- whether you are sharpening at the correct angle or whether you're getting close to sharpening all the way to the apex of the edge. It's much easier to see scratch patterns in the Sharpie paint then it is to see whether your newest scratch patterns on the raw edge have reached or are about to reach the apex.

And if you can train your fingertips to recognize a burr, you won't need a loupe at all.
 
Thanks I'm starting out with kitchen knives so the sharpie is hard to see if I'm getting the right angle. I guess with some more practice I'll get it down pat.
 
You guys are killin me... I have wanted a loop for a while so I just placed an order.
Three bucks delivered to the door for an entry level loop isn't so bad. I usually get screwed for hundreds when I discover a new knife or gear on this forum.
 
LOL at least we only cost you $3 today. let me know how you like it.
Enjoy your long weekend .
 
The one from Lee Valley Tools, recommended by AFAustin, is much better. The optics are much sharper and wider. It's worth it (and not badly priced).
 
wilejoe said:
I've been doing some reading and have a few questions.
What magnification is the best. Is the triple glass really that much better? Lighted or non
thanks once again
Click to expand...

When I first started looking into loupes, I read triplets is best because it reduces distortion. Regarding lights, I say bring your own. The $3 one I linked to has a light and it depends on my feeling at the time. When I'm sharpening, I do have a light overhead. Sometimes I do turn on the light o the loupe if I think it helps.
 
I have a nice 15 power loupe I bought at a gun show for around ten bucks. It works great.
I've not used a lighted loupe but may buy one just for the heck of it.

I look real goofy when using my loupe...I wear reading glasses so I have a pair on, then I have a head light...Petzl?...on my head for illumination and then the loupe...my wife just looks at me an laughs but I can see the edge quite nicely and don't care if people laugh.
You use what you have and need to get the job done...that's all I care about.
 
That's ok, I'll have the glasses and the loupe. Lol
I'm sure my wife and cat will have a good laugh at my expense
 
Well, I was just opening up the forum to start looking for information about magnifiers, how convenient!

Rey HRH said:
I bought a 15x and 20x loupe about $20 range. But I bought this 40 x 25mm loupe for $3 and it's what I use all the time. I thought I could waste $3 with free shipping but the performance is very nice.


http://www.amazon.com/Illuminated-Jewelers-Loupe-40x-25mm-Lighting/dp/B007GJJRZC/ref=pd_3
Click to expand...

FTR-14c said:
You guys are killin me... I have wanted a loop for a while so I just placed an order.
Three bucks delivered to the door for an entry level loop isn't so bad. I usually get screwed for hundreds when I discover a new knife or gear on this forum.
Click to expand...

At $3, I don't know how it could possibly be a mistake. It'll be the cheapest mistake I've made in my young knife collecting journey.

I will say, I bought one of these (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013E3DAG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and I haven't been very happy with it. I'll probably give that 40x a go, because lol $3.

AFAustin said:
I have been very happy with my 15x lighted loupe from Lee Valley. It's $29.50 + shipping, so a bit more than you were wanting to spend, but it's a quality piece. Lee Valley has free shipping specials (on orders over $40) pretty frequently.

Andrew
Click to expand...

Is this the model from Lee Valley you're talking about?

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=51092&cat=1,43456,43351,51092

EDIT: I just placed an order for that 40x piece. The delivery time is crazy long for free delivery (4-6 weeks). We'll see what it looks like when it gets here, but I generally have terrible experiences with $3 items ordered from China.
 
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