Hinges - Hard And Easy Removal..?

Hi guys..I was going through different WW stamps which I don't normally do and removing hinges very carefully from each stamp..I found out some thing interesting about hinges...Some are easy to remove and some are HARD to remove.

Below is 2 pictures, I have gathered all the easy ones to remove and all the hard ones to remove..First a picture of 6 different type hinges of size and material that I found fairly easy to remove...see below.





Below are 3 sort of weird type hinges I have come across before that will tear a stamp if you are not really careful...see below



"A" is a sort of paper hinge as you can see.
"B" is a very sticky hinge that actually ripped part of the stamp.
"C" is a small hinge that to is very, very, sticky.

Now the question I have knowing this, is how does a stamp collector remove HARD hinges..??

One very common method and *very-effetive* method
involves pressure and heat of friction...

This is achieved by laying the stamp face down on
a glassine envelope, then covering the back of the
stamp with another glassine, but a single layer,
so either use a flap from a large glassine or open
the seams of the glassine...

Next... you need a blunt, smooth object to run back
and forth over the hinged area (through the glassine,
of course)... most commonly used is the rounded edge
of the top of a pair of stamp tongs.

Depending upon the hinge, the pressure will break up
most of the points where the hinge adhered itself to
the stamp, as well as the small amount of heat which
is generated by the rubbing will loosen it even more...

Repeat the process generously until the hinge either
falls off on its own, or becomes easily peeled...

Lastly... (if) you own a pair of pointed tongs, which
I personally prefer-as compared with paddle-type (and
you trust yourself)... inserting one tong (when needed)
beneath any part of the hinge which is already lifing,
will help you break the adhesion by utilizing a side
wiping motion (relative to the tong point)... this is
most effective when you notice the bubbled areas within
the hinge...

One you develop the skill over time, you'll automatically
know what you need to do for any type of hinge under any
and all circumstances...

It is best, of course, to start with a low (or no-value)
stamp... and when you have the confidence, you'll be able
to perform removal even on more expensive stamps without
a second thought...

Wert, why don't you just soak the stamps with
those HARD to remove hinges?
If they're used then they've already been
in water before so what could go wrong ?

I believe it would be a lot safer than tearing or
poking them off.

Over the years when I find stamps with maybe three
or four hinges or hinge remnants on the back, I just soak
them and after a good press they look like new.

I soak them off too. It is so much easier that trying to peel off hinges from older stamps with well-stuck hinges. From time to time,I do try the pressure method but have had limited success with it. And,I do know others who are experts at removing troublesome hinges this way. They never cease to amaze me.....

I've never used the pressure method, but I'll try it in the future. To date I have used a lightly moistened (saliva) Q-tip to progressively and slowly dampen the hinge until it peels. I've gotten pretty good at this so that even MH stamps can be safely unhinged without any noticeable moisture damage. But if the pressure method works as well, that sounds less of a hassle.

An important consideration is the stamp that is hinged. Even in used condition, many old Austrian stamps will not "give up" hinge or paper remnants after prolonged soaking because of their tenacious gum. Stamps on thin, or poor quality paper can be easily ruined by removing even the best hinges. In some cases it is best to just leave the hinge remnant alone.