using a loupe, doublet, triplet or microscope for your edge status

zyhano

zyhano

Joined
Dec 3, 2009
Messages
1,593
Hey all,

when sharpening, I like to check my edges under a magnifying glass.

This gives you loads of information during sharpening, and interesting observations, such as:
- did your edges come together?
- how is the scratch pattern
- did you get your angles right?
- are there small chips
- is the angle consistent over the blade
- which part of the edge needs more attention
- what's up with the tip
- large micro serrations
- state of polishing
- what is the state of the burr
- how does gunk look on your edge
etc.

I found this to be very valuable when I learned how to sharpen, since I could now actually see what I was doing, which is not possible by just looking at it.
By seeing how the edge looked like under the magnifiying glass I could verify what happened and I could now reference that to what I saw with just my eyes. Making it easier for me to spot things without magnification when i learned this skill.


I started out from the beginning with a doublet that gives me 10 times magnification.
I recently purchased a triplet, essentially a better lens system with 20 times magnification consisting of three lenses.

It rocks! Gives me a better level of detail, the magnification is great to check you blade :thumbup:

I'm curious as to what you guys use and what your experiences are, but I definitely recommend a tool such as this.

I use it in combination with a simple flashlight (in this case a fenix e01) to provide the light and put the triplet very close to the blade and my eyes close to the triplet.

Here are also some pictures (the black one is the triplet), unfortunately, I don't have a macro function on my camera, so what you see through the triplet on the cam shot is nowhere near the quality and magnification you would get with normal use.
attachment.php


attachment.php


attachment.php



this is not my pic, but gives you an impression of what you could see (detail level wise)
4988471.jpg
 

Attachments

  • zyhano_triplet_3.jpg
    zyhano_triplet_3.jpg
    30.1 KB · Views: 598
  • zyhano_triplet_2.jpg
    zyhano_triplet_2.jpg
    14.4 KB · Views: 302
  • zyhano_triplet_1.jpg
    zyhano_triplet_1.jpg
    19.1 KB · Views: 307
Last edited:
Zyhano, I use the same . A triplet from Radio Shack (larger lens) and a Maglite flashlight .
I'd prefer a 5X lens on my head-set but haven't found one . As this would give me more hands free to work and both eyes with less fatigue . I've found that atleast a 5X is a must . It allows you to really see the burr and whats going on with your sharpening . Good write up . DM
 
Cheap digital microscopes work well too :)

PIC031-1.jpg
 
where'd you get the doublet and triplet? i was thinking about a magnifying glass last night as well since i'm a newbie at these things but staples charges $27 something for a 2x! amazon has a few of them for jewelers but not sure which one is good.
 
I used to use triplets until I found a cheap but effective hand-held microscope at some gadget shop. Cost about $25, has a built-in light source, and a zoom magnification of 40x-100x. Works fine for me.

Stitchawl
 
knifenut1013 said:
Cheap digital microscopes work well too :)

PIC031-1.jpg
Click to expand...

Microscopes are the only way to go in my opinion. Magnifying glasses really don't do much else than give you a slightly bigger picture of your bevels. A microscope shows you if you still have microscopic chips in your edge.

stitchawl said:
I used to use triplets until I found a cheap but effective hand-held microscope at some gadget shop. Cost about $25, has a built-in light source, and a zoom magnification of 40x-100x. Works fine for me.

Stitchawl
Click to expand...

They sell that at Radioshack. I've been thinking about picking it up. Is it easy to use holding it with your hand, or is the magnification too sensitive for holding it by hand?
 
THG said:
They sell that at Radioshack. I've been thinking about picking it up. Is it easy to use holding it with your hand, or is the magnification too sensitive for holding it by hand?
Click to expand...

I don't know about the Radioshack scope but the one I bought looks somewhat similar to it. It's very easy to use provided your subject doesn't slide around. This proves just a wee bit difficult when looking at an edge that isn't supported, i.e. nothing holding up the blade itself.

The first time I tried using it, I just laid the knife on the table and put the scope on the blade. The knife skittered around a lot. Then I put a rubber anti-slip mat under the handle and a piece of cork under the blade to hold that end up, and everything worked very well. 100x magnification really does show the condition of the steel. A perfect (to the naked eye) mirror finish often looks rough and pitted at times at that magnification. Really lets one know if the edge is truly polished or not!

I'd like to buy a computer microscope. I remember seeing one that wasn't too awful expensive, but I can't remember where I saw it! :o

Stitchawl
 
JV3 said:
where'd you get the doublet and triplet?
Click to expand...
Just searched around a little. I got mine for about (euros to dollars) $30. It's high quality triplet though. 2 times magnification is bad. I'd say you need at least 5 (loupe) or ten (doublet) times magnification to see anything at all.

stitchawl said:
I used to use triplets until I found a cheap but effective hand-held microscope at some gadget shop. Cost about $25, has a built-in light source, and a zoom magnification of 40x-100x. Works fine for me.
Stitchawl
Click to expand...
Yup, I would definitely upgrade if I see something I like. Haven't found a cheap and good microscope though. But then again, I'm picky about microscopes, having worked in a lab..

stitchawl said:
100x magnification really does show the condition of the steel. A perfect (to the naked eye) mirror finish often looks rough and pitted at times at that magnification. Really lets one know if the edge is truly polished or not!

I'd like to buy a computer microscope. I remember seeing one that wasn't too awful expensive, but I can't remember where I saw it! :o

Stitchawl
Click to expand...
the bigger the magnification, the better you can see what's happening. For a quick peek to see what's up, a small, more portable device is more handy and quicker to use though.

ChapmanPreferred said:
Nice job on the original post.

Cheers,

Doug
Click to expand...
Thanks Doug.
Hope this helps some guys have less frustration sharpening because they can now see what happens :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top