Yes, it definitely is an alternative.

I've used a scanner for years and usually get good results.  We bought a new digital camera some years ago but for some reason it wants to use the flash - and of course that doesn't work at all when taking pictures of knives.  So to alleviate this problem I started using my scanner.  I believe it's only a few scanners that can take scans with a 'depth'.  I have an Epson Perfection V500 Photo and it works great.  As mentioned earlier in this post, if your scanner doesn't have 'depth' then you will only get a focused scan of the knife parts that are flush with the scanner bed, everything else will be more or less out of focus.  Even more critical is the scanner software.  My Epson came with a really good scanner software that allowed for adjustments of every image detail imaginable.  But recently I upgraded to Windows 10 - and then my old software didn't work any more.  The scanner software included with Win 10 doesn't allow for any adjustments beyond file format and scan resolution, so I have to scan at the highest resolution and do post-scan color adjustments in GIMP or Photoshop. Anyway, not as good as before but still doable.  Here are some examples:

http://thebladeblog-ulf.blogspot.com/2016/02/e-t-segerstrom-eskilst...

Ulf

Thanks so much for your input on this! Sounds like you really have the scanner thing down. I have seen some really good scans of knives but I havent personally been able to get that "depth" Now I know why.

Thanks again for your input