Do You Use Stamp Tongs/ Tweezers?

ALWAYS use tongs, long pointy ones. When I'm fishing stamps out of the soaking pan, I use my fingers. After they're dry (on a paper towel), I use the tongs again.

If you get bored in July or August, try using pointy tongs to catch the little gnats that invariably get through the screen and buzz around your desk lamp.

"As for perspiration and hands -- I don't suggest sticking your hands in "calcium chloride granules" (as suggested above).I do suggest a bit of talcum powder - that should do the trick --that and a Fosters or VB!".

I was not suggesting putting hands into the calcium chloride. I place the little tubs of it at different spots in my home, at least one in each room, and they absorb humidity from the air, keeping the humidity, in that room, down, a little, and helping to prevent mold and mildew. I get the product from the local hardware store. I do agree entirely with the Fosters. regards, Yakboomer.

Hi yakboomer.

We use silica gel here in white material pillows and dry them every 4 to 6 weeks. It is toxic so I use rubber gloves and rest the pillow on top of plastic bag inside tour sealed plastic tubs. The oven gets a good clean out after the drying process.






Hi Hal

Yes it is one of those terminology differences between our countries so I included both names to give that global flavour. Have never seen some of you tong types before. Great images!


It is very interesting reading about every ones tong/tweezers usage and the different types and reason for using them.

Hi KGV Collector...

The white, chemical-resistant Delrin tweezer and the two reverse-action tweezers are all used in the electronics industry (board side production and re-work) and perfectly suited for handling stamps without damaging them.

I have 2 sets of tongs...one to use in my workroom..and the other set in the basement...where I like to listen to music while sorting etc.
A definite must have.

I use tongs regularly; however when I seriously examine a stamp, I use my hands as well. This takes a lot of confidence, very soft hands, and there is a knack to it. I have held stamps cataloging many thousands in my hands without damaging them. It's all in knowing how and having decades of experience. They are almost always used stamps, so gum is usually not an issue and many revenue stamps are much larger than the average postage stamp which makes it much easier.

I like a bent spade-tip style.
I have two pairs of tongs. The first pair for when I can't find the second pair and the second pair for when I can't find the first pair.
I don't always use them for bulk kiloware but I do use them most of the rest of the time.

I Always use Tongs except for when mailing and sometimes even then. I feel clumsy handling stamps without tongs Anytime. Like stated above.

I ALWAYS use tongs.
I only have 5 fingers in hand so I need the help of tongs.
If I had 6....perhaps not need tongs.

Always

Great one, Russ.

Very Very Gentle Does It!

I admit that in the past I have used fingers and one of the things I miss when using my tongs is the feel of the texture of some stamps that I find quite appealing. One example of an interesting texture are any of the US architecture stamps.

Definitely so! I just use the old lighthouse spade tips.

I just switched from the spade tip to the lethal tip and I love it. It will take some getting used to since things like this happen:



I was digging it out of the Hot Water bowl trying to clean it up , gave it a little shake before it went into the drying book and ....oops, there goes another one.
Luckily the missing perfs on the right and the Stamp already being a Dog, not a lot of value was lost.