For Newbies - On The Subject Of Stamp Tongs.............

Hi,

When I got back into the hobby 4 years ago, I started with a 4 inch pair of straight stamp tongs. As most will agree, the handling of stamps should only be done with tongs, so this is a rather important tool for us collectors (along with magnifiers, perf gauge, etc).

So I used the 4 inch tongs for a year and noticed the "professional" tongs were 6 inches in length. So I ordered a pair, and I'll be switched if they were just so much more comfortable and easier to use.

Earlier this year I began to wonder about the angled tip tongs, and "for grins", I ordered a pair of the 6 inch angled tongs.

Well, lo and behold, I've been using those angled tongs exclusively for the last several months. They are definitely easier to use (for me of course) than any of the others I had.

So may I suggest, if you are looking for tongs and/or not happy with what you have, you might try the 6 inch angled ones. They are readily available ( ebay)and under $10.

Have to say, I wish I knew the above when I got into the hobby again.

Looking at them, this completely makes sense. I've probably got 5-10 pairs of tongs I've somehow accumulated over the years, but not a single one is angled.

Not sure how I've managed to pass up getting a pair for this long.

Very much agreed, Mobilman. I like the slightly longer and angled tongs.

I notice a lot of dealers use long pointed tongs, but I have never liked pointy tips touching stamps. Alot of people also use round-end tongs. I do agree that longer tongs handle better, but have settled on square end tongs without really knowing why. The disadvantage of angled tongs for me is I find them hard to use when handling stamps in and out of Vario pages.

I use a 6" pointed tip and love it. I think the pointed tip makes it easier to grab a specific stamp off a pile and to get underneath it to pick it up. I really need to get a spare one as I'd be completely lost without the pair I have. I have a couple 4" tongs that I never use and don't want to go back to. ebay is running an ebay Bucks special today, so I think it's a good day to order another pair.

I use round-end tweezers, as we call them here (tongs being for sugar cubes). I can easily imagine spearing stamps with pointed tweezers!

I've used the same type 4 inch ones for so many years if I changed now it would be like trying to eat everything with a spoon.

i use my same small old tong for so many year but after reading this I probably buy a 6 inch just to try it. seem I miss something there
thanks for the clue

The point on the point-tip tongs is not THAT sharp. It does have a rounded edge. Yes, I guess one could stab a stamp with one if wanted to, but there is virtually zero danger of it happening through the course of normal use. Not trying to talk anyone into using them, just allaying any fears that there's any real potential for damaging stamps.

Can Anyone See My Tongs....?

I agree with Barhata..They are great when you are going threw stock books that have paper holding the stamp properly. I have seen stamps hinged in the back of stock books pages before. You need to be careful to remove stamp in those situations too. It slides out much easier and placing back the stamp using the tongs.

My favotite pair of tongs looks like barhata's. Easy to use and I can tear thru a hinge without affecting the stamp when removing a stamp off old album paper.

Using a stock card with protective plastic page.

I place a stamp with minor creasing or a hinge remnant in between the stock card and plastic page and rub with a tong on top of the plastic sheet.

Making sure the tongs are moving towards the open edge of the plastic and the crease will come out of a stamp and the heat will lift the hinge on that mint with gum stamp.

Alway try a new stamping technique with a damaged stamp.