Hi All,
I'm trying to find some tongs. Good tongs.
I hate tongs, and I typically avoid working with them whenever possible. (Note: the reason I hate tongs is because I've done almost all of my forging at a school where the tongs, most of which are older than I am, have been mauled around and misused by so many generations of students that they are barely recognizable as tongs at all.)
Anyway, I'm a bladeSMITH, and I know I need to have tongs around and get more comfortable using them. So I'm looking to buy some GOOD tongs. What are your favorite types and sources?
(And in case you were thinking of suggesting that I make my own: I've considered the possibility, and I'm not planning on doing it that way. I don't know how, and I need to get up and running as soon as my building is done--so I don't have time to tinker around learning something new while I have commissions stacking up. I figure I'll learn how and make some down the road, once I'm more familiar with what I want in a pair.)
Thanks,
Zack
Zack Jonas
Journeyman Smith
Wolf Jaw tongs from Kayne and Son ( http://www.blacksmithsdepot.com ), are essential, and the OCP blade tongs they carry (made by the late great Grant Sarver), are good also.
There's also a guy that relocated to Taiwan (He's american, his wife is taiwanese afaik), who's got a very dedicated following for his style of blade tongs, called GS Tongs ( http://www.gstongs.com/ ), and you can see why by looking at them. His prices are good and he subsidizes most of the shipping so don't let that concern you.
Those are pretty much the best primary options, imho.
Zack
You also need to check with Al Lawrence at Riverside Machine in DeQueen, Arkansas. Al is an ABS Journeyman Smith and stocks some very well made tongs that were designed with the Bladesmith in mind. The telephone number is 870/642/7643 and the website is http://www.riversidemachine.net
Dan Cassidy
Journeyman Smith
Send an email to Dan
Bob Patrick is a well known blacksmith who makes great tongs. He will make whatever style you want. And his prices are as good as commercial tongs. He can make both carbon steel and mild steel versions. With the spring steel he draws out very long thin reins making for long light tongs.
Hey Zack!
I also wish tongs were not a necessity, but you're right, they are. So, I just thought I'd post pics of the tongs I use the most often. In the picture that shows multiple tongs, I use the tongs on the left the most often, and the tongs on the right the least often. The tongs on the left are my version of the GS Tongs. These tongs will not let go! They'll hold straight edged stock as well as the tapered blade equally well. I know you don't want to learn to make tongs, but for anyone else out there that might want to, I made the tongs pictured, and it was easy (I'm no blacksmith). I included a picture of two pairs of tongs in process, on pair from 3/8" round stock, and one pair from flat stock (the round stock is quicker). Add a hole and mild steel pin/rivet, and you're good to go. One of the pleasures of forging is being able to make tools specific for a particular task, and these tongs can be adjusted to work with round, square, or odd shaped stock very quickly. If anyone wants more detailed pics of the process, please let me know...I'll post better pics. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//rolleyes.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':rolleyes:' />
Thanks All, I've put in an order with Glen (GS Tongs). Should have them in a few weeks. Very helpful feedback. Cheers!
Zack
Zack Jonas
Journeyman Smith
|quoted:
Thanks All, I've put in an order with Glen (GS Tongs). Should have them in a few weeks. Very helpful feedback. Cheers!
Zack
Don't Forget About Toms Z Tongs
i have used these before and i love them. you can hold any length with these.
Ed,
I would appreciate more pictures and information on your tongs.
Steve Seib
Steve,
Sure! Just give me a few days, maybe through the weekend, because then I can get pics of the whole process. I'll do the round ones 'cause they are the quickest/easiest. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//cool.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='B)' />
