My tongs are approximately 10 to 11 inches in total length and made from 14mm or 15mm round 1018 mild steel. I prefer tongs that are shorter and stout as they are easier to manipulate and are made to last. If you are in need of longer tongs, let me know.
I have spent a lot of time perfecting my tongs. I guarantee your satisfaction. There is hardly anything in blacksmithing more frustrating than having a hot piece of metal jumping around when you are hammering not to mention dangerous. When it comes to working with hot steel, if you can't hold it right you can't hit it right.
Flat style - Flat tongs are ideal for flats and work well with squares as well. Since the jaws are open on the sides, they hold only according to thickness and so any width will work.
sizes: 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4
Blade style - My blade tongs are for flat stock only and are width specific. The advantage they have over flat tongs is the ability to hold on edge when hammering. I size them for 1/4" (~ 6mm) thickness but they will also work with thinner stock. Please specify if you need this style for thicker sizes such as 3/8" (~ 10mm).
*sizes: 3/4, 1, 1&1/4, 1&1/2, 1&3/4, 2
*sizes are width of stock
Dragon Jaw style - Though not so much a multi-purpose style tong, my dragon jaw tongs are versatile and can hold some stock across the jaws as well as in-line. The sizes indicate the thickness of stock they are made to hold.
sizes: 1/4, 3/8, 1/2
Round style - If you will mainly use round stock and need to hold from an end, round tongs are the way to go.
sizes: 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4
Bent Knee style - I make my bent knee tongs for flats, rounds and squares. The advantage of this offset jaw style tong is the ability to hold at points along the length of your stock and not necessarily from one end or the other. They also allow space for upset ends to be held toward you. They can take some getting used to but are one of my favorite styles.
sizes: 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, 1 (round)
1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, 1 (square)
3/4x1/4, 1x1/4, 1&1/4 x1/4, 1&1/2 x1/4 (flat w x t* )
*specify if you want for thicker flat stock
Punch style - This style of tong is mainly for holding rounds across the jaws, as for when holding a punch. I myself use the largest size of this style as a hammer-eye tong.
- sizes: 3/8,1/2, 5/8, 3/4, 1, 1&1/8, 1&1/4, 1&1/2 (round)
Tusk style - My tusk style tongs are good for holding rounds and specifically, odd shaped rounds. When stock is bent, this style tong will allow that bent section to pass through the jaws and hold from another point. In this regard, they are somewhat similar to my bent knee round style.
- sizes: 3/8, 1/2 (round)
Scroll style - This tong is mainly for manipulating thin, fine sections of hot steel (like scrolls) rather than holding stock while hammering. However, this style will also hold thin sections reasonably well for forge work.
email: glen03@earthlink.net
2018
2018
