Newest Tongs

[Leland Stone]

I've been playing around with different styles of reins and materials for tongs, and have yet to use any medium carbon stock for tongs -- though I'm leaning toward sucker rod if I can find it.

I also lean toward a medieval look, which is what guided the shape of this set, in the attached photo.

Cheers,
Clay

[John B]

Hi Clay, they look good, but I think you will find the look you are after had round reins not square, and the jaw shape depended on the work being undertaken.

[Leland Stone]

Well, thanks! I've been making tongs lately as an exercise in efficiency and consistency at the forge...I need another pair like a need another grey hair! I sorta had this pic in mind when I made these tongs:

http://3.bp.blogspot.../MAforgeron.jpg

Though no cross-section information was given, the reins looked squarish to me; round, of course, makes sense from a user-comfort perspective. The jaws on this set are V-bit, less than 90 degrees, which I use for either round or square stock.

[Raymond Sauvage]

I have seen many medieval and earlier tongs during my studies. The reins cross-section varies but most are sqareish with some chamfering of the corners for comfort. In others had rounded cross-section at the ends.
No need to make the whole of the rains round when you only grip the ends.

[ThomasPowers]

Medieval----where and when? Got about 1000 years and a slew of countries often having different styles.

I'm not a big fan of the Mastermyre tongs.

(I was lucky enough to find an old set of tongs at a fleamarket in Ohio that were spot on with a set I saw in a Roman Museum that I have in my Y1K forge kit)