My first shield inlay

[Geoff Flato]

Gesswein sells an off brand optivizor for around $30 if I remember right. My dad has one for himself, and its surprisingly good.

 

[SBuzek]

Not to be taken wrong, but you do not need a better buffer, you need to do better sanding. I go to 30 micron on the belt then to 6000 grit by hand then just a light touch on pink no scratch on a loose buff and done.
Also sand different directions, one grit across the bolsters and the the next grit in line with the blade and make sure every lower grith scratch is removed before moving on.

 

[Randy3000]

You should see the knife now that's been carried a couple days, it is all scratched up from keys and what not, and is a dull gray color already on the bolsters. I used it while building this rope jungle thing for my nephew.

 

[AVigil]

Consider a USB Microscope. I have one coming for XMAS

I too wear and optivisor constantly in the shop. I am looking forward to using the USB micro scope for even closer examination

 

[javand]

Here is a great workbench scope:
https://www.stuller.com/products/26-5101/?groupId=193780&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

The Zeiss glasses I wear for engraving, fine work, and diamond setting are somewhat like these. Mine look like old fashion wire rim round glasses with small microscopes mounted in the center of each lens. There are adjustments to move each lens exactly in front of the pupil for retna/object alignment. This gives perfect 3D vision at 14" focus.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ZEISS-EyeM...401988?hash=item284599d7c4:g:QyEAAOSwXrdaAAbB
Mine were custom made by Zeiss with my prescription on the rear lenses. The loupes sit just a few millimeters over the lenses, and are very short. They are comfortable to wear and your brain learns to see around the center for regular vision ( sort of like how it deals with macular degeneration). It is weird to be able to see full vision when walking around or looking at a book, but to instantly have the brain switch to 20X super vision when you focus on something 14" in front of you.

I haven't seen ones exactly like mine in years, but you can buy suitable similar loupe glasses for $60-100 off ebay. They are fine for knife work.

Yeah the Leica A60 is pretty much the cat's ass in the engraving circles these days. I'm still using a Meiji EMZ-5 but planning to upgrade to the Leica in the new few weeks. The depth of field and clarity are just amazing. When I started engraving I hated the idea of using a scope, I'm young enough that my eyes aren't totally shit yet, and I had a really hard time getting my eyes to adjust to the scope, but have to admit, that once they did, there's no going back.

I use my scope as much for general knife work, as I do engraving (which I still suck at), if you have any doubt about something, check it under the scope, and you'll be certain how bad you screwed up. Great for upping your general F&F quality, as long as you can handle the bruised ego!