Things to know about tongs:

Most of my tongs are forged by default with ten inch reigns, (handles,) about 3/8” in diameter, and fit so the reigns sit parallel about 5/8” apart when holding the shape and size of stock they were designed for, to provide the best leverage at the most comfortable spacing to hold. It’s helpful to know, when ordering tongs from my site, that “right handed” tongs are meant to be used by a right handed smith, and held primarily in the left hand, and likewise “left handed” tongs are held in your right hand. This is important because the reigns, while they may be close to on top of each other at the end, will be offset by the thickness of the boss, (hinge plate,) and which side the bottom reign is on will affect which direction the tongs naturally want to roll. I need to know which is your dominant hand so I can ensure that your tongs will want to roll INTO the palm of your tong hand, rather than away, and out of your hand. It may sound strange to think of the tongs you’re holding rolling in any direction at all, but all of my tongs are sold with a tong clip to keep tension on the reigns while forging, so you can keep a loose grip on them and avoid injuring yourself with prolonged use.

It’s also worth knowing that all of my tongs are forged out of mild steel, (though I will take requests for other materials, at a premium.) Not all tools need to be forged out of “tool steel,” and mild steel tongs provide a necessary LACK of hardenability. It WILL be necessary from time to time to quench your tongs if you use them for any extended length of time, to avoid deforming them, and mild steel offers the ability to do so without risk of cracking your jaws. If you DO request an alternative material, just know that a medium carbon steel like 1045 will pose more of a risk of damage to the tongs when quenched.

I have plans to include larger sizes of tongs, which would be necessarily longer and heavier than the 3/8” x 10” reigns offered on what I do have listed, as well as other styles such as scrolling tongs, which would be shorter in length. If anything like that appeals to you, and I don’t yet have a listing up, it’s only because my personal tongs have been abused for quite some time now, and don’t photograph well. Please email me at theharbingerforge@gmail.com or find me on facebook as HarbingerForge.