Microscopic Camera

[Joel Casto]

I hate to admit it, but I’ve reached the age that I have trouble seeing the edges on blades. Even with good light, a handheld magnifier and marking with a Sharpie, it’s not easy to see the edge or even bend around the clamped blade enough to get a good look.

I can’t be the only old guy with this issue and I’m sure some smart person on this forum has solved this problem with technology.

So I’m wondering – has anyone found an inexpensive, handheld camera that can plug into a laptop that enables a close up view of the blade while it’s still mounted in the WE clamp? Something I can run down the blade and get a close up look at the condition of the blade and progress of the sharpening process.

Thanks in advance.

[Mikedoh]

Josh (razoredgknives) says “this may help… i go over how to alternate your grind direction with each consecutive stone to make sure the prior scratches are erased. you also need some type of magnification if possible. I have the Dino-Lite am3011 usb microscope and love it… I tried the veho 400 but it wasn’t near as nice.”

A stand for it might also be useful.

You can find some more info doing a search on: USB microscopes

[Josh]

exactly, thanks Mike!

yeah 5string, here is a link on amazon to one. It does a great job!

http://www.amazon.com/Dino-Lite-AM3011-10x~50x-Digital-Microscope/dp/B0065AWWGO

[tcmeyer]

Hey Clay: If you’re listening… I’ve seen a few photos from your microscope and was impressed. Which ‘scope do you have? If not the same one, which do you recommend for handheld use?

Josh: You ‘scope is only 0.3 MP? Can you share a sample photo with us? My Celestron is 5MP and 0.3 seems almost primitive.

How does it jump from 10-50X up to 230X?

[Josh]

Sure Tom! here are some before and after pics I took of a knife way back… I can also get you pics at much higher grit if you want. oh, and it has a dial knob so there is no “jumping” involved… unlike the veho 400 which I found to be very finicky when trying to get it perfecdtly focused. I have noticed that there are basically two different “fields of view” where the knife edge comes into view crisply, and one is around 60x and the other is around 230x.

[John Haley]

Talked me into this after I’d been debating for over a month. The 10x loupe is OK, but I want more detail. I should mention that I found that the 3011 is now a discontinued model and the 3111 is the replacement. I ordered this one and an articulating stand from Dino-lite.
http://www.microscope.com/dino-lite-am3111-0-3mp-digital-microscope-1.html?category=227

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