Tongs

Tongs or tweezers are a necessary tool for collectors. It is important to keep skin oils off your stamps which will eventually create stains that can't be removed. Otherwise you will need to keep your hands constantly washed with soap and fully dried without moisturizer added.

These are specially made for stamp collectors with flat and smooth faces instead of ribbed. They are available from stamp stores or online hobby supply houses. Small size ones are good for small hands or kids. Spade-type ends make holding stamps easier but makes it harder to pick them up. There are also rounded/duckbill-shaped ends and pointed ends, the latter the most preferred style by professionals.

You will have to practice a bit on cheap disposable stamps or bits of paper before getting used to using tongs generally. At least two should be bought so you have a spare and are not tempted to handle stamps.

Eventually, with accidental drops and such, tongs will become worn. You want the points without dings or burrs to scratch stamps and the ends to meet exactly. Burrs can be worked out with a kitchen knife steel, being careful not to put a slicing edge on the ends. Misaligned ends can sometimes be fixed By carefully twisting a leg with pliers. In any case, tongs do have a lifetime and should be replaced when needed.





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