Anyone using a Loupe?

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Re: Anyone using a Loupe?

Post by ChefKnivesToGo »

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Re: Anyone using a Loupe?

Post by gladius »

Nice!
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Re: Anyone using a Loupe?

Post by Jeff B »

Of course you list it now when I could have added it to my order last week!
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Re: Anyone using a Loupe?

Post by Organic »

I have the microbrite and there are two things that I don't like about it. Firstly, the working range is very small. This means that it is difficult to get it focused unless the object you're looking at is held steady. Secondly, the image is flipped which makes so you really have to think about how to move the microscope to see the portion of the blade that you want.
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Re: Anyone using a Loupe?

Post by ken123 »

For most tasks even a 10x loupe solves a lot of problems. Beyond that even up to 100x or so is very useful for tracing out scratch pattern problems. When I get really picky I get out my camera with a macro lens and extension tubes. Properly set up I can see things I cannot see with the typical usb type scopes.

Part of the problem is resolution - not just magnification. If you see a low resolution image it is much less than helpful - just a big fuzzy blob. There are other factors to consider as wel like spherical abberation and chromatic aberation. You see this on cheaper optics. Camera resolution is also a major limitation.

When I get serious I bring out the camera. I have been able to resolve objects as small as at least 30-50 microns in size.

As you increase magnification depth of field is limiting so LOTS of light is a big help.

I've since updated this with a different camera and better lighting, but this is the basic setup.
c4.jpg
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Re: Anyone using a Loupe?

Post by ChefKnivesToGo »

I'm thinking that costs a little more than $13.
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Re: Anyone using a Loupe?

Post by Kalaeb »

ChefKnivesToGo wrote: Mon Apr 09, 2018 1:58 pm Here it is: https://www.chefknivestogo.com/microbriteplus.html

Anybody using one of these? Any advantage over a traditional loupe?
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Re: Anyone using a Loupe?

Post by ken123 »

ChefKnivesToGo wrote: Fri Apr 13, 2018 3:11 pm I'm thinking that costs a little more than $13.
Just a bit :) Comes in handy at times


Practically, most loupes at low power get the majority of what you need done.

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Re: Anyone using a Loupe?

Post by Jeff B »

Kalaeb wrote: Fri Apr 13, 2018 4:56 pm
ChefKnivesToGo wrote: Mon Apr 09, 2018 1:58 pm Here it is: https://www.chefknivestogo.com/microbriteplus.html

Anybody using one of these? Any advantage over a traditional loupe?
gladius wrote: Tue Mar 27, 2018 11:38 am
Druchefer wrote: Tue Mar 27, 2018 7:55 am
gladius wrote: Tue Mar 06, 2018 6:11 pm This pocket microscope works really well too:

Hey I've been curious about that model, how long have you had it and has it deepened your knowledge of sharpening in ways not possible without?
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I've had it several years and yes it has provided a method to visually inspect the edge and scratch patterns I cannot see otherwise esp. as my eyes age. Can one do without it - yes...does it help? - yes, esp. if you are serious about sharpening. It is relatively inexpensive with decent quality image and better magnification than loupe.
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Re: Anyone using a Loupe?

Post by Lepus »

I like the look of the other new loupe set Mark just picked up. Being able to snap the loupe on a cell camera makes it unbearably approachable. I wear glasses for astigmatism, so using microscopes or other magnification has always been an issue.
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Re: Anyone using a Loupe?

Post by ChefKnivesToGo »

Lepus wrote: Sat Apr 14, 2018 2:48 am I like the look of the other new loupe set Mark just picked up. Being able to snap the loupe on a cell camera makes it unbearably approachable. I wear glasses for astigmatism, so using microscopes or other magnification has always been an issue.
When I was on the phone with these guys for the mini microscope I asked him what else would work well for our purpose and he suggested these. They can be used as a loupe or you can take the eye thingy off and attach to your phone. https://www.chefknivestogo.com/cama4pcset.html
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Re: Anyone using a Loupe?

Post by ken123 »

ChefKnivesToGo wrote: Fri Apr 20, 2018 8:23 am
Lepus wrote: Sat Apr 14, 2018 2:48 am I like the look of the other new loupe set Mark just picked up. Being able to snap the loupe on a cell camera makes it unbearably approachable. I wear glasses for astigmatism, so using microscopes or other magnification has always been an issue.
When I was on the phone with these guys for the mini microscope I asked him what else would work well for our purpose and he suggested these. They can be used as a loupe or you can take the eye thingy off and attach to your phone. https://www.chefknivestogo.com/cama4pcset.html
This looks very useful. I got something similar to this (not as good) for my phone (Mini cooper giveaway). VERY useful for those times when you don't have a camera around your neck. With Cellphone cameras improving resolution, this seems very useful.

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Re: Anyone using a Loupe?

Post by alanhuth »

I noticed Clay at Wicked Edge uses this magnifier, and I got one. It's only 10x, but it has a large field, 4(?) LEDs to light the subject all around for even lighting without white-out. It's rugged, uses standard batteries, and works better than expected. It has replaced all the loupes and micro-magnifiers I have tried. There is also a 20x version, but I haven't tried that (yet). The Microbrite looks good too. I like that it has standard batteries and seems to have good ergonomics. It reminds me of my favorite (very expensive!) flashlight:

$$$ flashlight:
https://preview.tinyurl.com/y8xedxyv

10x Magnifier
https://preview.tinyurl.com/y7onc6wr

20x version:
https://preview.tinyurl.com/ybm472mv
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Re: Anyone using a Loupe?

Post by Radar53 »

I've been tempted by one or more of these;

https://supergadget.store/collections/m ... ne-android

https://supergadget.store/products/8x-o ... or-android

https://supergadget.store/collections/m ... eye-lenses

I've bought other things from these guys with no problems so far YMMV
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Re: Anyone using a Loupe?

Post by nakneker »

I’m gonna try the MicroBright, the Loupe does ok but I’m hoping the MicroBright takes it up a notch.
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Re: Anyone using a Loupe?

Post by alanhuth »

See my post 2 up from this one. I received the 20x version and it is identical to the 10x. Still a great way to view edges. Well lit, huge viewing window - no fiddling or adjusting needed and it’s a huge improvement over the naked eye.
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Re: Anyone using a Loupe?

Post by Jeff B »

Tried the MicroBright and I'm not impressed at all. The magnification and focus is fine but it's very difficult to use. The inverted image is a pain, you move up the image moves down, you move left the image moves right. Any rocking/movement of the magnifier or knife and you lose focus and it's not easy to hold it flat to a knife. A loupe is much easier to use to me.
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Re: Anyone using a Loupe?

Post by Organic »

Jeff B wrote: Sat May 12, 2018 7:27 pm Tried the MicroBright and I'm not impressed at all. The magnification and focus is fine but it's very difficult to use. The inverted image is a pain, you move up the image moves down, you move left the image moves right. Any rocking/movement of the magnifier or knife and you lose focus and it's not easy to hold it flat to a knife. A loupe is much easier to use to me.
Your experience has been very consistent with what I posted earlier. I prefer a USB microscope, but my go-to magnification is a cheap currency detecting microscope (60X) that you can find on amazon https://www.amazon.com/BlueDot-Trading- ... hted+loupe from numerous retailers.
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Re: Anyone using a Loupe?

Post by wphill »

I have the microbrite that Jeff used. Unusable. My heart beat is enough to push image out of focus. Would only work if knife and microbrite are firmly affixed and when using the eye can view without touching. Hard to imagine anyone finding it useable, unless they have no heart beat. Really would prefer something that I can capture on my iPad, snap a picture, and study at my leisure. Really would like the day that forum members could compare scratch patterns by sharing images.

Gonna wager that knife nuts have a box of goodies with loupes gone idle due to borderline problems in use, with the default decision to rely on feel, paper cut, and board performance.
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Re: Anyone using a Loupe?

Post by Organic »

wphill wrote: Wed May 23, 2018 6:12 am I have the microbrite that Jeff used. Unusable. My heart beat is enough to push image out of focus. Would only work if knife and microbrite are firmly affixed and when using the eye can view without touching. Hard to imagine anyone finding it useable, unless they have no heart beat. Really would prefer something that I can capture on my iPad, snap a picture, and study at my leisure. Really would like the day that forum members could compare scratch patterns by sharing images.

Gonna wager that knife nuts have a box of goodies with loupes gone idle due to borderline problems in use, with the default decision to rely on feel, paper cut, and board performance.
USB microscopes are available that will allow you to take photos of the edge and compare scratch patterns. This one is only $35 and works well enough for the task.https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Microsc ... cope&psc=1 If you want to spend more, Dinolite makes good options but they can get very pricey.

Regardless, the cutting performance is always the real test.
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