Jeweler's Loupes > 30x for Evaluating?

[rotuts]

these helped me a lot in evaluating the EdgePro:

http://www.amazon.com/3pcs-Jewelers-Loupe-Loupes-10X-20X/dp/B001C9LG60/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1309979964&sr=8-10

they are of high quality believe it or not.

but id like to find similar quality ( and cost !!!!) at 40 or even 50 x

anyone have any ideas?

thanks

[weinoo]

Those look pretty cool. I'm wondering if there are any other kitchen tasks they could be used for?

[andiesenji]

I have a combination 20x & 40x illuminated loupe that I use for gem work.

You can also get small, "pocket microscopes" that are also illuminated, and not very expensive.

I have one of these that I have used to examine inclusions in amber.

[rotuts]

I got that puppy you mentioned above also

and this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002E0MU70

there are two very small LEDs on it and it goes to 45 x.

it works like a charm and is very small

they fail ( probably ... I just rip the stuff open and use it ) to mention that the LED are very very powerfull and if you shine them in you eye, ie you flick the switch \thats on the underside with the LED pointing up right in your eye you will damage your retina. NO JOKE

it works well but you have to put the item down on a hard surface and get your eye-ball right down there. its a inch or so tall works well though IF You Are Very Carefull of the LED

DO NOT let childern near it!

a 40 or 50 large ie 21 mm or greater loop would be Loved in My Kitchen.

other uses: your Caviar would really look BIG

I love all three items !!

[David A. Goldfarb]

I like to use a ripe tomato, myself, for this purpose.

[rotuts]

You are absolutely right about the Tomato being the cutting standard.

but ....

there is sharper and a Tomato needs. my Globals always passed the Tomato Test. thats what I used them for.

this is just a level above that ... that may or may not be needed

the Global i sharped to 1000 grit sings though the tomato. I can actually hear ( probably feel with my hand) the difference

over kill? not really I can hear a difference.

Edited July 15, 2011 by rotuts (log)

[ojisan]

I use an Optivisor w/ the Edgepro Pro. Hands-free, lifts out of the way, and can be worn w/ glasses. The 2.5x magnification works for me.

[rotuts]

thats a great tip

I have used these for other applications.

you bet id get one for home if it went up to 20 0r 30 X

thanks!

[Dakki]

I like to use a ripe tomato, myself, for this purpose.

And if you need to get really sharp, the standard is hair splitting.

Loupes are good for identifying wire edges, burrs, etc.

[rotuts]

well

my tomato's shudder when they see my EgePro knives

they split before the edge carresssses them

this system is the best Ive seen and I have

BTW I dont try to eat too many hairs split or otherwise !!

in all good fun

[paulraphael]

Loupes can be useful. I don't have a very powerful one ... the 4X Schneider loupe I use for photography actually gives a good look at what's going on. It lets me know how close my sharpening has come to the edge (when thinning) and it shows if there's any residual burr or wire edge (I suppose a higher magnification loupe would be even better for this).

You don't need a loupe, but since I'm at best a journeyman knife sharpener, every bit of input helps.

Of course, the ideal test is to cut whatever food you're most concerned with cutting well. But this is not practical most of the time when you're sharpening.

I find tomatoes to be a pretty poor test. Any halfway sharp knife slips right through a tomato. And a toothy edge (like one sharpened only to 1000 grit or so) can sometimes cut the skin of a ripe tomato more easily than a sharper, more polished edge.

I don't know what the best generic test is, but I've had pretty good luck using firm apples (like Granny smiths ... can you easily make slices that you can read the phone book through?) and the phone book pages themselves. A sharp knife will push-cut phone book paper with virtually no pressure and make virtually no noise while doing so.

[Dakki]

I do the "paper test" exclusively to find unsharpened bits along the edge. Paper will catch and tear instead of cutting.

[dcarch]

Don't underestimate that lowly WEB Cam. With a little focusing, it can do amazing close ups and enlargements.

dcarch

Close up enlargement of a surgical blade

Salt

[

Seasme seeds

Edited July 18, 2011 by dcarch (log)

[rotuts]

Web cam !

brilliant! i have one and will work on that!

thanks!