Where to get a magnifier?

A

Akwacko

Joined
Jul 1, 2001
Messages
163
Where do I purchase a magnifier to check my edges? I have a Spyderco sharpener and an Edgepro Professional. While I do well keeping them very sharp I think I could benefit from a magnifier of some sort. Any brand names to look for, how much magnification, what do they cost, web sites...??? Any info would be appreciated.

thanks,
Bruce
 
I picked up a 15x loupe at the camera store I work at. :) You could try local camera shops.
 
Go to Radioshack. They have a lighted 60-100 power magnifier. It is awesome for looking at edges. Mine cost $15 Canadian, or thereabouts. AWESOME tool!
 
buy a knife!

.....a SAK that is :D

The Victorinox models with magnifying glass are:
53791_l.jpg

#53791, #53793 : explorer
#53792 : explorer plus

53501_l.jpg

#53501, #53503 : swisschamp

or even
53504_l.jpg

#53504 : swisschamp xlt ruby

I find all these models a bit bulky for in pocket carry - there were thinner/slimmer models available at one time - and one can still find them occassionally overseas or on eBay.
fc1a8f3d.jpg


or the Victorinox Yeoman
fc6e2d3a.jpg


Note: Although Wenger the other official SAK maker does have models with a magnifying glass - unfortunately that magnifying glass quality was very poor - see this review:
SAKs - Victorinox or Wenger

At home I use one of these -
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Mine's made by Tasco - but there are various brands for this 30x illuminated pocket microscope.......
 
I'll second Crayola's suggestion. The RadioShack magnifier is $9.99 in U.S. money, and looks like the magnifier at the bottom of UnknownVT's post. If you're going to spend hours a day looking at edges you will probably want something fancier, but definitely start with the RadioShack model.
 
I just purchased a "B&L14X Hastings Triplet" magnifier from www.kooter.com for the same reason! Kooters is a group of geologists/scientists based in Kansas so I liked the idea of supporting them. They also had the best overall prices even before factoring in their free shipping. They work evenings after work but got my order out only a few hours after I placed it.

I wanted more magnification than the larger 10x magnifier, but the 20x looked a little small in diameter and lacked the 3-D perspective of the less powerful magnifiers (there is a tradeoff) so I settled on 14X.

After a lot of web searching, I came to understand the Hastings was at or near the top of the optics heap. Here's a pic of what they are:

http://www.benmeadows.com/store/product_group.asp?dept_id=2481

Kooter's also has a page with terrific information about selecting a lens and the tradeoffs you make:

http://www.kooters.com/sezlens.html

Hope this helps.
 
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