Note: I know the question of buying v. making tongs comes up in many metal smiths minds. Although my main product is tongs, I am glad when smiths have the motivation, time and skill to make their own tongs. However, I want to point out that my customers are made up of everyone from beginning to very advanced smiths. Some cannot make tongs. Some can make tongs but not very well. Some can make perfectly fine tongs but have no time given their other pursuits. Still others can make their own but unlike myself, find tong making boring and unsatisfying. My point is that you shouldn't feel obligated to make your own tongs thinking that somehow making tongs is standard procedure for all who hammer on hot metal. I am perfectly capable of making most of the different tools I use but chose not to do so in some cases and instead buy from someone else for reasons just explained.