Straight Razor Place Forums - View Single Post - RadioShack 60x-100x optical magnifier

Forzato · 01-31-2008, 10:28 PM

QUICK REVIEW:
A very important (and often underestimated) tool in straight razor ownership is optical magnification of about 30x to 100x magnification. The RadioShack 60x-100x is a good value at about $10 US. The image is marginal, but acceptable for assessing and diagnosing the edge of a straight razor. It is recommended.

A MORE IN DEPTH REVIEW:
The (nearly) ubiquitous RadioShack 60x-100x lighted magnifier is a steal overall. It has a built in light (2x AAA batteries), 60x or 100x magnification settings, and a focus dial. The 60x setting seems to be the best overall for razor edge inspection. The unit is quite small - about the size of three average adult male fingers. It does take a few hours of practice to really get the most out of it. The sample used was modified by the addition of self adhesive felt pads (ala Home Depot, etc) to the appropriate parts of the clear plastic part around the light bulb. This allows proper viewing of the edge with minimal risk of edge damage. The edge must never be allowed to more than lightly touch the felt - otherwise edge damage may result.

Even with extensive practice the image is hazy, distorted, grainy, and of course - flipped left to right. The depth of field is very shallow. It is surprisingly difficult to augment the supplied lighting (which is acceptably powerful - but barely). In use the importance of a slow delicate touch and practice cannot be under emphasized. It takes practice also to correctly interpret the image viewed of the edge. The build quality of the unit itself is what you'd expect for $10. Even given all these issues, this magnifier has just enough of the right stuff to work well in practice. The high power, price, and easy availability make the RadioShack 60x-100x magnifier a good value and a no brainer. For many straight razor users (not already using a proper magnifier) this inexpensive magnifier will make a huge and immediate difference in the user's definition of 'sharp' and 'shave ready'.

Most noteworthy of all is how under rated the use of meaningful optical magnification is represented in the current world of straight razors - especially when one is learning the art. This also makes a strong case for the Radioshack unit since just about anyone can afford $10 to dramatically improve both a) the learning curve of straight razor ownership, and b) the quality of shaves received (read: less pain and suffering). A proper magnifier will allow the informed user to not only to asses a blade, but to diagnose many razor problems - including the shaving technique itself. With regards to straight razor shaving, especially for the neophyte - it (or another proper magnifier) is indeed a tool of most critical proportions.

The reviewer welcomes any feedback.

01-31-2008, 10:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
Forzato Status: < Banned User > Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Imperial America Posts: 41 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	RadioShack 60x-100x optical magnifier QUICK REVIEW: A very important (and often underestimated) tool in straight razor ownership is optical magnification of about 30x to 100x magnification. The RadioShack 60x-100x is a good value at about $10 US. The image is marginal, but acceptable for assessing and diagnosing the edge of a straight razor. It is recommended. A MORE IN DEPTH REVIEW: The (nearly) ubiquitous RadioShack 60x-100x lighted magnifier is a steal overall. It has a built in light (2x AAA batteries), 60x or 100x magnification settings, and a focus dial. The 60x setting seems to be the best overall for razor edge inspection. The unit is quite small - about the size of three average adult male fingers. It does take a few hours of practice to really get the most out of it. The sample used was modified by the addition of self adhesive felt pads (ala Home Depot, etc) to the appropriate parts of the clear plastic part around the light bulb. This allows proper viewing of the edge with minimal risk of edge damage. The edge must never be allowed to more than lightly touch the felt - otherwise edge damage may result. Even with extensive practice the image is hazy, distorted, grainy, and of course - flipped left to right. The depth of field is very shallow. It is surprisingly difficult to augment the supplied lighting (which is acceptably powerful - but barely). In use the importance of a slow delicate touch and practice cannot be under emphasized. It takes practice also to correctly interpret the image viewed of the edge. The build quality of the unit itself is what you'd expect for $10. Even given all these issues, this magnifier has just enough of the right stuff to work well in practice. The high power, price, and easy availability make the RadioShack 60x-100x magnifier a good value and a no brainer. For many straight razor users (not already using a proper magnifier) this inexpensive magnifier will make a huge and immediate difference in the user's definition of 'sharp' and 'shave ready'. Most noteworthy of all is how under rated the use of meaningful optical magnification is represented in the current world of straight razors - especially when one is learning the art. This also makes a strong case for the Radioshack unit since just about anyone can afford $10 to dramatically improve both a) the learning curve of straight razor ownership, and b) the quality of shaves received (read: less pain and suffering). A proper magnifier will allow the informed user to not only to asses a blade, but to diagnose many razor problems - including the shaving technique itself. With regards to straight razor shaving, especially for the neophyte - it (or another proper magnifier) is indeed a tool of most critical proportions. The reviewer welcomes any feedback. Attached Images Last edited by Forzato; 02-01-2008 at 11:10 AM.