Stu in Tokyo Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 I just found these on auction here in Japan.......... The auction is at $10 right now, I figure for that money, I might get a start on a collection of tongs....? 4 days to go, I wonder if there will be much interest in these old tools. Wish me luck! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryCarroll Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 $10 for 5 decent tongs?? WOW! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu in Tokyo Posted November 15, 2006 Author Share Posted November 15, 2006 $10 for 5 decent tongs?? WOW! Well, I have not won the auction yet, my bid is the only one in there, and for 3 days there was nothing, so I hope that the interest in these old tools is low, and I'll ge a deal. Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strine Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 Stu, there are now quite a few of us who might be prepared to go to $20 per tong and some dills among us that will go to $30 or $40. My advice next time would be to "keep mum" (hold your tongue) until they're in hand. After your post it will be interesting to see how they go. Oh, I wish you luck in the bidding and hasten to add it won't be against me. Also, too as well, $10 (the current bid) will buy a fair amount of material to make your own tongs, or put enough fuel in your vehicle to have a "poke around" for suitable scrap. Last bit of advice...don't ever underestimate the amount of interest in old tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu in Tokyo Posted November 15, 2006 Author Share Posted November 15, 2006 Stu, there are now quite a few of us who might be prepared to go to $20 per tong and some dills among us that will go to $30 or $40. My advice next time would be to "keep mum" (hold your tongue) until they're in hand. After your post it will be interesting to see how they go. Oh, I wish you luck in the bidding and hasten to add it won't be against me. Also, too as well, $10 (the current bid) will buy a fair amount of material to make your own tongs, or put enough fuel in your vehicle to have a "poke around" for suitable scrap. Last bit of advice...don't ever underestimate the amount of interest in old tools. Hi Strine, tell you what, if you can read and write Japanese well enough to sign up for Yahoo Japan's online auctions, you are welcome to these tongs Scrap yards are not easy to find here, and if you do find one, they are often closed to the public. $10 don't buy much gas in Japan Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan DuBoff Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 Stu, Those look good. Most tongs seem to go for about $15-$25 at flea markets around my area, but I only know others that have bought them. I don't have any tongs, but have a nice selection over at Ardenwood. I haven't gotten that far yet, working on some tools before I get to tongs. Tongs will be something that I will make, I hope, but I'm not adverse to buying them. I've seen some pretty nice new ones for about $25-$35. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GobblerForge Posted November 17, 2006 Share Posted November 17, 2006 Stu. Are you Japaneese by birth, or are you there visiting, or what? Your English is great. I suspect you to be visiting. Gobbler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu in Tokyo Posted November 17, 2006 Author Share Posted November 17, 2006 I'm a Canadian.......eh......... born and raised in BC, came here for SIX MONTHS 16 years ago........ My wife in Japanese and both of our daughters were born here, but they speak English as well as Japanese. I'm not "Just visiting" anymore, I guess this is home now. Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GobblerForge Posted November 22, 2006 Share Posted November 22, 2006 Very good. I would agree that life can be a cool ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Stegmeier Posted November 22, 2006 Share Posted November 22, 2006 Sadly the first two tongs are the most useful without reforging;-) and the hoop tong(the 2nd from the top) is probably the nicest and most useful of the whole lot... Once you learn how to forge nice tongs you will likely retire some of the old clunky tongs you are happy to aquire right now;-) I have always been picky about tools, and prefer to use the tongs that I forge myself, they are lighter and springier and fatigue my hands less... Ill fitting tongs are dangerous, so reforge the other tongs to fit the work you are using... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu in Tokyo Posted November 22, 2006 Author Share Posted November 22, 2006 Well I did not get the tongs, they went for just slightly over what I put in for a bid ($50) I was out with the family on Sunday when the bidding ended, so I could not get to a computer, but even if I could have, I don't know if I'd gone much higher, as I do think making my own tongs would be a good thing to do. Thanks for all the input just the same! Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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