I currently use some cheap headset style loupes to check that my finished edge is perfect as my old eyes don't work as good as they used to but I have noticed a few YouTubers I follow use microscopes with monitors and I have to say, the image looks great. I was wondering if anyone else uses them and what model do they use as the selection available is huge.
Thanks
Based on the digital microscope that I use, I'd recommend going for something where the focus/zoom buttons are not on the camera itself. Some models have a wireless remote control, and some have the remote wired.
Bottomline, if you magnify high enough, tiny movements like tapping the buttons on the camera unit creates a heck of a lot of wobble.
Built it lighting on flexible arms are a bonus too. I made a ramp (aka knife holder) using MDF squares glued onto door stoppers, with magnets attached, just to make the knife secondary bevel parallel to the lens, making focus a lot better (at higher magnifications)
This has come up a few times in the past. (https://www.amazon.com/Microscope-Portable-Jewelry-Magnifier-Magnifying/dp/B0C6K7KPTW/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=187991564764&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.M9HX6DhSLHoTCQKJZZBcOH9eh3jApCwLMR5qt_RPTi3X_k1HuWZe8_KWaxrsGwCaKzxa0RAzZoco7N1B1ovPkOk3AHp-cKJiOS6qb5ZZv3JXxkrGRzvVxH199rN8EPwg_MkIudz0ndSl5dTnuL8i2IQICSS0M_5WUPmKhFaL2u_mIYOk26fJ7W042t_e-ViE4Kf-nklzF3vhh_Mjh9wR7MQvT__nIKtRqQhIMzPQPOw.UETMx3d2FAMCm0LSLtq3jK4IArvpJWMaxUUv4CaxYK0&dib_tag=se&hvadid=779556666423&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9198937&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=1717904426189518266--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=1717904426189518266&hvtargid=kwd-418022214225&hydadcr=13607_13390043_2344191&keywords=kingmas+mini+60x+microscope&mcid=4edd57bc04f237f18da8be258a980d5a&qid=1771343951&sr=8-1) I tried several USB cameras and still went back to the Kingmas 60X hand microscope. I have several around my shop for different things that I do.
If you do go with the USB type, I agree with Royale, get one with remote control of focus and magnification, as at high magnification, the slightest vibrations wreak havoc on the projected image. I've learned this recently as I explore the world of close-up and macro photography with digital cameras.
One very informative previous post, by grepper, provides good information. (https://forum.tormek.com/index.php/topic,4555.msg32780.html#msg32780)
A feature to look for in a USB camera is the ability to do in-camera focus stacking. This is very useful for increasing the depth of focus, as at high magnification, the depth of focus of single shots is very narrow and gets more narrow with greater magnification. A couple of posts regarding focus stacking,
Modified SVM-45 for adjustable offset (https://forum.tormek.com/index.php/topic,3946.msg26827.html#msg26827)
Sharpening a Ceramic Knife (https://forum.tormek.com/index.php/topic,3769.msg25161.html#msg25161)
I know it might be a bit of a pain but I am wondering how a tethered image from my 25MP Nikon D750 would look on my HD monitor. 25MP allows me to zoom in on details without loss of image quality. I have a nice macro lens that would work well.
One word of caution with the inexpensive USB microscopes is that most are not compatible with your phone last time I looked at them.
Quote from: John_B on February 17, 2026, 09:07:54 PMI know it might be a bit of a pain but I am wondering how a tethered image from my 25MP Nikon D750 would look on my HD monitor. 25MP allows me to zoom in on details without loss of image quality. I have a nice macro lens that would work well.
One word of caution with the inexpensive USB microscopes is that most are not compatible with your phone last time I looked at them.
Might work, but a lot of bother to set up and occupy space, unless its already set up near your sharpening station. It may also depend on what you are hoping to do, such as moving the knife bevel along to get a view of more than just a small portion. I tried looking a knife bevel, but found at that magnification, it was difficult to keep the bevel in the picture - tiny movements are magnified along with the object.
I have a setup for scanning (copying/digitizing) negatives, slides and prints using a Nikon D780 and a either a Nikkor 60mm or 105mm Macro lens. Takes great photos, but I would much rather be using the hand microscope I posted about earlier.
Image below shows what I can see and it is easy to travel along the whole length to see what the condition is. There is a trick/learned process for maintaining focus that involves keeping the clear plastic base in contact with the knife the whole time and tipping the hand microscope to vary the focus point. Takes up about the space of a cigarette lighter on the workbench.
Quote from: RickKrung on February 17, 2026, 11:16:39 PMQuote from: John_B on February 17, 2026, 09:07:54 PMI know it might be a bit of a pain but I am wondering how a tethered image from my 25MP Nikon D750 would look on my HD monitor. 25MP allows me to zoom in on details without loss of image quality. I have a nice macro lens that would work well.
One word of caution with the inexpensive USB microscopes is that most are not compatible with your phone last time I looked at them.
Might work, but a lot of bother to set up and occupy space, unless its already set up near your sharpening station. It may also depend on what you are hoping to do, such as moving the knife bevel along to get a view of more than just a small portion. I tried looking a knife bevel, but found at that magnification, it was difficult to keep the bevel in the picture - tiny movements are magnified along with the object.
I have a setup for scanning (copying/digitizing) negatives, slides and prints using a Nikon D780 and a either a Nikkor 60mm or 105mm Macro lens. Takes great photos, but I would much rather be using the hand microscope I posted about earlier.
Image below shows what I can see and it is easy to travel along the whole length to see what the condition is. There is a trick/learned process for maintaining focus that involves keeping the clear plastic base in contact with the knife the whole time and tipping the hand microscope to vary the focus point. Takes up about the space of a cigarette lighter on the workbench.
That's a nice setup
Quote from: Rossy66 on February 18, 2026, 12:31:50 AMQuote from: RickKrung on February 17, 2026, 11:16:39 PM...snip...
Might work, but a lot of bother to set up and occupy space, unless its already set up near your sharpening station. It may also depend on what you are hoping to do, such as moving the knife bevel along to get a view of more than just a small portion. I tried looking a knife bevel, but found at that magnification, it was difficult to keep the bevel in the picture - tiny movements are magnified along with the object.
I have a setup for scanning (copying/digitizing) negatives, slides and prints using a Nikon D780 and a either a Nikkor 60mm or 105mm Macro lens. Takes great photos, but I would much rather be using the hand microscope I posted about earlier.
...snip...
That's a nice setup
Thanks. In the world of digital camera scanning of negatives & slides, its relatively basic, but quite good enough for my needs. Pipe stand, Manfroto Super Clamp, Benro 3-way geared tripod head, NISI focusing rail. Even with all this, it is easy to have errant vibrations that can cause an image to be out of focus. For instance, the floor in the room where it is, is not all that solid, and while my workbench is, even a little weight shift by me on the floor in front of it all can result in damaging vibrations.
Just to be clear, the image of the knife bevel was not shot with the digital camera. Rather it is what I see through the Kingmas hand microscope. I don't have any images of knives taken with the digital camera because I just don't bother with it, the Kingmas is much easier and gives me the information I need.
If anyone is interested in more on close-up and macro photography, the absolute best references I've found are the two books by Lester Lefkowitz (https://www.lesterlefkowitz.com/macro). I have gotten rid of everything else.
I found this video on a YouTuber I follow and found it really interesting. I think I will invest in one.
https://youtu.be/wBGcfj6-J7Q?si=9domZyoAHvqYgvQr
Quote from: Rossy66 on February 18, 2026, 02:55:51 PMI found this video on a YouTuber I follow and found it really interesting. I think I will invest in one.
https://youtu.be/wBGcfj6-J7Q?si=9domZyoAHvqYgvQr
That looks to be a good solution. Highly featured and good images. However, it is no longer available at the link below the video. What is available is a larger screened one at $178.
But, the one thing I took particular note of is the clear plastic shroud that he emphasizes. Thumbs up. That is precisely why I like the Kingmas hand microscope so much, maintains focus and the knife can be rotated, etc. If it were available at the $60 price, I might be tempted.
I'll watch his video reviewing the higher priced one to see if it has a similar shroud. Without that, I think it would be a no go.
I'm also looking at this model, it's more expensive but gets fantastic reviews so I may go with this.
https://tomlov.com/products/tomlov-dm602-pro-10-1-inch-hdmi-digital-microscope
Quote from: Rossy66 on February 18, 2026, 02:55:51 PMI found this video on a YouTuber I follow and found it really interesting. I think I will invest in one.
https://youtu.be/wBGcfj6-J7Q?si=9domZyoAHvqYgvQr
Paul, who runs that channel is amazing a fast array of information for Sharpening.
I bought the same one. He recommended and also added a separate monitor. That's larger.
Quote from: Columbo on May 06, 2026, 04:27:53 PMQuote from: Rossy66 on February 18, 2026, 02:55:51 PMI found this video on a YouTuber I follow and found it really interesting. I think I will invest in one.
https://youtu.be/wBGcfj6-J7Q?si=9domZyoAHvqYgvQr
Paul, who runs that channel is amazing a fast array of information for Sharpening.
I bought the same one. He recommended and also added a separate monitor. That's larger.
I bought it and there is a lot of comfort that I can see things my fingers cant feel and my quality has gone up.
Looks like there may have been a surge of buyers as the smaller version is not available on Amazon.
Here is an interesting video on the family of inexpensive Chinese microscopes. I think he unfairly compares them to a digital camera system and lens that costs several thousand dollars. I own a DSLR with Macro lens and lighting that I can tether to my computer using Adobe software. It works great but it is not practical for a person sharpening multiple knives or trying to run a small business. If you make your money as a content creator it may be a different story.
I like to use a Bausch & Lomb loupe for edge inspection. Cutting a thermal receipt and feeling for resistance changes gives me a pretty good indication if I got the burr removed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K8CtSgXREk
I do not check visually. I use the fingernail method which I find more than adequate. Then I use the paper test for a final check.
Quote from: John_B on May 14, 2026, 09:15:16 PMHere is an interesting video on the family of inexpensive Chinese microscopes. I think he unfairly compares them to a digital camera system and lens that costs several thousand dollars. I own a DSLR with Macro lens and lighting that I can tether to my computer using Adobe software. It works great but it is not practical for a person sharpening multiple knives or trying to run a small business. If you make your money as a content creator it may be a different story.
I like to use a Bausch & Lomb loupe for edge inspection. Cutting a thermal receipt and feeling for resistance changes gives me a pretty good indication if I got the burr removed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K8CtSgXREk
That is an interesting video. I'd be interested in hearing why you think it was an unfair comparison. I also own and use a DSLR/macro lens/lighting/tethering/focus stacking in post-processing tools. I agree it is not practical for someone doing "production" sharpening in real time, however, it could be quite useful for that same person examining edges/burrs during a process of figuring out effective deburring methods that would then get up into practice for the production sharpening process. Even, so, I do not anticipate doing this, mainly because I have an adequate alternative, the Kingmas 60X hand microsope. I also think the video reasonably and accurate demonstrates that the cheap USB cameras really do not deliver on their magnification claims.
As mentioned in a prior post (above), way back, I explored high-end ($1000+) USB cameras that would do in-camera focus stacking, but still found them too fiddly and not worth it compared to the 60x hand microscope. I also think the video acknowledges that the cheap USB cameras can be used, up to a point, to examine edges, but the much cheaper hand loupes are a more reasonable method.
Quote from: RickKrung on May 15, 2026, 05:00:26 PMQuote from: John_B on May 14, 2026, 09:15:16 PMHere is an interesting video on the family of inexpensive Chinese microscopes. I think he unfairly compares them to a digital camera system and lens that costs several thousand dollars. I own a DSLR with Macro lens and lighting that I can tether to my computer using Adobe software. It works great but it is not practical for a person sharpening multiple knives or trying to run a small business. If you make your money as a content creator it may be a different story.
I like to use a Bausch & Lomb loupe for edge inspection. Cutting a thermal receipt and feeling for resistance changes gives me a pretty good indication if I got the burr removed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K8CtSgXREk
That is an interesting video. I'd be interested in hearing why you think it was an unfair comparison. I also own and use a DSLR/macro lens/lighting/tethering/focus stacking in post-processing tools. I agree it is not practical for someone doing "production" sharpening in real time, however, it could be quite useful for that same person examining edges/burrs during a process of figuring out effective deburring methods that would then get up into practice for the production sharpening process. Even, so, I do not anticipate doing this, mainly because I have an adequate alternative, the Kingmas 60X hand microsope. I also think the video reasonably and accurate demonstrates that the cheap USB cameras really do not deliver on their magnification claims.
As mentioned in a prior post (above), way back, I explored high-end ($1000+) USB cameras that would do in-camera focus stacking, but still found them too fiddly and not worth it compared to the 60x hand microscope. I also think the video acknowledges that the cheap USB cameras can be used, up to a point, to examine edges, but the much cheaper hand loupes are a more reasonable method.
The only thing I think is unfair about the video is comparing a microscope that is relatively inexpensive with the results you can achieve with a digital camera, macro lens and specialized software for image stacking. If he bought his camera and lighting setup for less than $1,500 I would be surprised. My macro lens alone was around $1K and my camera much more than that.
I have been using the Kingmas 60X as recommended by Rick, really useful and far less fiddle faddle than a tomlov or camera set up.
Depends on what you're hoping to achieve with magnification.
I struggled to use the Kingmas to start with but got used to it and find it a quick and efficient way to see exactly what's going on at the edge, especially for curved scissors and thinning/ texturising scissors where it's hard to use a static lens.
So good for everyday use and good value.
Not YouTubing. Not disappearing up my own or anyone else's. So what's the point of expensive sophisticated camera microscopes? Not needed for volume sharpening.
Kingmas is all I really need for the occasions when I just need to know what I'm missing.
Quote from: Sir Amwell on May 17, 2026, 01:03:57 AMNot YouTubing. Not disappearing up my own or anyone else's. So what's the point of expensive sophisticated camera microscopes? Not needed for volume sharpening.
I already had a good macro setup including lighting, lens and focusing rails using my Nikon D750 DSLR. I used this for macro photography for a long time. I would not advocate buying this or any expensive camera kit if all you are going to do is view knife edges especially in any production setting. For my customers I do not use anything other than a Bausch & Lomb loupe to view the edge. Being able to minutely alter the focus point while taking multiple images then stacking them in Photoshop does yield superior results though.