Want sharp? Get a closer look!

Bill Siegle

Bill Siegle

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 3, 2000
Messages
6,811
Ok, in my quest for sharp edges I have tried a lot of stuff. Somewhere I have a box of "stuff" that didn't work. The last "system" I tried(and kept) has been a Spyderco Sharpmaker. I can get my edges hair popping sharp in just a few minutes and dought anyone could ever sell me another sharpener. So to get back to my point, I have started using a loupe to examine my edges as I go through the steps of sharpening. It has greatly improved my success. I can now actually see if there is a burr left or if I am truly ready to move on to a finer stone. Wayne Goddard had told me about the trick and I was reluctant to go to the mall and buy the magnifier he'd suggested. Well I was at a show and a guy was selling $5 loupes(20X I think). I decided that was more like it :) Well my bald forearm speaks for me. Now that I can better see what is happeing, I can get the edge I want. I have been using the loupe for sometime know and was thinking this suggestion would have been nice when I was learning how to sharpen so I thought I would share the tip :D
 
I have the Belomo as noted above. I highly recommend using something like this to actually see what you are doing. It is especially useful for inspecting that last 1/2" out on the tip. This is where lots of us have "issues".
 
I used to use loupes, until I got the small pocket microscope from Radio Shack (AKA The Source.) It has a light powered by batteries and is 60x-100x, or thereabouts. I love looking at edges on all kinds of tools! You can readily see burrs and what a nice polish looks like, etc.

I am very jealous of the forumites who have full sized microscopes like jewellers use!
 
4 s ter said:
I have to agree! A loupe of at least 10X is a tremendous aid in sharpening. I have a 15X lighted magnifier from Lee Valley Tools.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=51092&cat=1,43456,43351

Between it and the Sharpie marker trick, hair-popping edges are almost a certainty.

David
Click to expand...

just ordered one myself along with their two sided leather strop kit with .5micron cro2 for 26.50. I used to order tools from them all the time, but haven't lately (good tools don't need replacement) They are excellent folks in every way. You can't go wrong ordering from them.
 
Crayola said:
I used to use loupes, until I got the small pocket microscope from Radio Shack (AKA The Source.) It has a light powered by batteries and is 60x-100x, or thereabouts. I love looking at edges on all kinds of tools! You can readily see burrs and what a nice polish looks like, etc.

I am very jealous of the forumites who have full sized microscopes like jewellers use!
Click to expand...

Yeah, I love to look at polish jobs with this http://www.greatscopes.com/vision.htm
It is great for comparing the effects of various stones and such but I just use an ordinary loupe when sharpening.
 
Optivisors do a decent job as well.

I know Art Washburn uses one to inspect his work and he has gotten me in the habit as well. I use a 7.5 Optivisor and the drop down loupes that attach to the side for better close ups. Best place to pick 'em up is on E-Bay.

j
 
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