Slightly Off Topic - Getting Good Scans Of Traditionals

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knifeaholic

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Oct 15, 2001
Messages
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Actually this is really on topic, since I would enjoy scanning knives from my collection of traditional slipjoints to display here. However, getting good scsns of traditional slipjoints, the majority of which have high polished blades, has been difficult.

I have an Epson Perfection scanner for scanning knives.

When I scan knives with satin or brushed finish blades, the scans come out perfect and the blades look great with lots of detail.

When I scan mint knives with mirror finished blades, the scans make the blades appear to be dark blue. Of course, this makes a mint knife look like it has been well used.

Does anyone have any helpful hints about adjusting the scanner or the finished picture? I have tried using a photo editing program to adjust "contrast" and "brightness"...but no real improvement.

Thanks
 

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I'll bet Charlie (Waynorth) can help. His scans are routinely excellent.
 
Tell me more!!

You dont photograph the knives?
You put them on a scanner and scan them like a piece of paper???

Correct?
 
Yep, just like that Neeman. Epson scanners work well for 3D objects because they have a deeper field of focus. I generally do all of my knife images that way, with much more consistent and instant results than shooting film. Plus you can instantly edit and upload the scans, and zoom in on knife details. Here are two that came out well - I won't clog the forum with loading each picture to Bladeforums since they're reruns, just click the links:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/Bobthearch/knives/Prentice.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/Bobthearch/knives/194OTerror.jpg

Bernard Levine has a sticky in his forum on using scanners. Don't know if he addresses knifeaholic's problem, one that I've encountered with some knives also. Have you tried tilting the blade?

Notice the blades in this scan. One is OK, but the other two are dark. All three have the same level of polish.

DeerHuntercomparison.jpg


And another: Notice how some are dark and some are silvery. I'm pretty sure it's an effect of the blades being tilted differently.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/Bobthearch/knives/OldTimertrappers.jpg

Here's one where all three blades are black. :(
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/Bobthearch/knives/OneHandvariations.jpg

Best Wishes,
-Bob
 
knifeaholic said:
When I scan mint knives with mirror finished blades, the scans make the blades appear to be dark blue.
Click to expand...

Hmmm. Another reason it makes good sense to put a patina on your blades! :p

In all seriousness, though, that is a great looking knife, knifeaholic.
 
I use an old AGFA (10 years old) scanner, and it definitely shows some darkening of mirror finish blades. It often is better if I flip the knife upside down, then right it in photoshop. Sometimes it is worse. Sideways occasionally works, but none of the positions is entirely predictable. I'm not a technical guy, but lately, I have been scanning at 170% for the whole knife, and 340% for tang shots, and the results are generally very consistent.
Often upside down shows the swedges on the blades better.
I think it just depends on the make/model of scanner which position works best.
Sorry I can't be more help.
 
When I scan knives with satin or brushed finish blades, the scans come out perfect and the blades look great with lots of detail.

When I scan mint knives with mirror finished blades, the scans make the blades appear to be dark blue. Of course, this makes a mint knife look like it has been well used.



Thanks[/QUOTE]

I don't think there would be much that you could do with a scanner to correct that problem,except editing after the scan.At least with a camera,you can change the angle to get rid of the glare but straight on shots can still give you problems with reflections.With a digital camera,I can also have a picture on the internet in just a few minutes.
 
If you can use acetate to protect the glass bed, why not a filter to cut glare. . . hmmmmm?????
 
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