kostia84
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Posts: 192
What I collect: Pharmaceutics (thematic), WWII (thematic), Israel (chronologically)
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Post by kostia84 on Jan 5, 2019 12:07:37 GMT
Hi all.
I was reading some thread in a facebook group today. A guy there posted a photo of himself holding a machin in his hand.
To my understanding, that guy is a serious philatelist and lately even started an online philateic business of some kind.
He was asked by someone, who is novice philatelist, as to why he doesn't use tweezers.
Then a whole conversation follows, where the first guy as well as some others, wrote that the tweezers are not needed at all, and should be used only when handling very valuable stamps or when it is not convinient to pick up a stamp. Otherwise they all use their bare hands when handling stamps. To my understanding, after following this group, all of those guys are very serious and knowledgeable collectors.
Therefore, their oppinion should be taken seriously.
I consider myself as a novice level philatelist. I was always told that stamps should always be handled with tweezers and never with bare hands.
So for me tweezers is a must.
And it doesn't metter what kind of material is in front of me. Even if it is a cancelled stamp from this year with 10000000 produced of which I have 100 duplicates in better condition, even then I will only work with tweezers. It is absolutely inconvinient for me to pick and hold stamp without tweezers. I think it is a good philatelic practice to always use tweezers and I even regard to it as an ethical issue.
But than again, as I said, I am a novice level collectioner. Although I will not change my habbits and practices, I would like to hear your authority oppinion regarding this issue.
Thank you
Kostia
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Post by smauggie on Jan 5, 2019 12:41:27 GMT
Frankly as a fat-fingered person, I find using stamp tongs far easier than using my fingers, so I use them for everything just on a utilitarian basis. I do think that tongs should be used at all times when possible.
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firstfrog2013
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Posts: 3,276 
What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Jan 5, 2019 12:56:12 GMT
I only handle stamps when mounting them.I had a very unfortunate and costly mistake trying to insert a stamp into a mount years ago with tongs that totally destroyed a $800 stamp.I also use a piece of credit card type plastic to shuffle piles into glassines.There are occasions when using the USB microscope that finger manipulation is quite necessary. Categorize me as a semi-purist.
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Londonbus1
Moderator 
Cinderella Stamp Club Member 3059
Posts: 4,859
What I collect: Cinderellas and some Ephemera from Great Britain, France and Israel plus a few beautiful bits from elsewhere !! Topical interests include Flags & Judaica, the latter with an emphasis on the Jewish National Fund.
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Post by Londonbus1 on Jan 5, 2019 12:56:38 GMT
Hi all. I was reading some thread in a facebook group today. A guy there posted a photo of himself holding a machin in his hand. To my understanding, that guy is a serious philatelist and lately even started an online philateic business of some kind. He was asked by someone, who is novice philatelist, as to why he doesn't use tweezers. Then a whole conversation follows, where the first guy as well as some others, wrote that the tweezers are not needed at all, and should be used only when handling very valuable stamps or when it is not convinient to pick up a stamp. Otherwise they all use their bare hands when handling stamps. To my understanding, after following this group, all of those guys are very serious and knowledgeable collectors. Therefore, their oppinion should be taken seriously. I consider myself as a novice level philatelist. I was always told that stamps should always be handled with tweezers and never with bare hands. So for me tweezers is a must. And it doesn't metter what kind of material is in front of me. Even if it is a cancelled stamp from this year with 10000000 produced of which I have 100 duplicates in better condition, even then I will only work with tweezers. It is absolutely inconvinient for me to pick and hold stamp without tweezers. I think it is a good philatelic practice to always use tweezers and I even regard to it as an ethical issue. But than again, as I said, I am a novice level collectioner. Although I will not change my habbits and practices, I would like to hear your authority oppinion regarding this issue. Thank you Kostia Tweezers, only Tweezers. No hands. I must have missed that discussion on FB. Off to check. |
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brightonpete
Departed
Rest in Peace
On a hike at Goodrich-Loomis
Posts: 5,110
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Post by brightonpete on Jan 5, 2019 13:06:21 GMT
Tweezers! For everything, or use the oils in your skin (or whatever else is there) can maim that poor little piece of inked paper!
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Post by dgdecker on Jan 5, 2019 16:10:22 GMT
I generally use tweezers when handling mint, or older stamps. If I am uncertain about condition, I use tweezers. Otherwise I use my fingers when sorting or counting. It’s just more efficient for me.
david
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angore
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Posts: 5,335
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Jan 5, 2019 16:38:42 GMT
I use tongs most of the time but I would not do it for stamps of any value.
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Post by mdroth on Jan 5, 2019 17:05:52 GMT
Hi Kostia!
Seems I missed it when you joined - welcome to the group!
Please. Tongs. Only tongs...
I would seriously question anyone who advises anything else. And seriously doubt whether they are, in fact, a 'serious' philatelist.
Fingers simply don't work - and as others have mentioned - transfer oils. It is simply inflicting damage - purposefully. Why?
Before touching any of my stamps - ever - I wash my hands. (And that's always using tongs - because I don't even want to touch my albums/stockbooks etc without clean hands!)
It does take practice & you don't want to experiment with valuable stamps. But if you're not that dextrous enough in the hands to use tongs, your fingers will be even worse!
If you're sorting modern stuff that's still on paper - getting ready to soak etc - fingers will be required. But that is really the only instance that I can think of when fingers should ever be involved!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2019 17:51:27 GMT
Picking stamps off the table with your finger can be tricky, however if you lick your finger first, it makes it very easy.  |
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kostia84
Member
Posts: 192
What I collect: Pharmaceutics (thematic), WWII (thematic), Israel (chronologically)
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Post by kostia84 on Jan 5, 2019 17:56:35 GMT
Picking stamps off the table with your finger can be tricky, however if you lick your finger first, it makes it very easy. Thanks, falshung. I also heard, that if you first put a 5 seccond super-glue on you finger, the stamp will be picked very easy. I think I'll try it first on my bad stamps. I have a US one with some plane inverted on it. 😜 |
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hrdoktorx
Member
Posts: 6,588
What I collect: France (and French territories), Africa, Canada, USA, Germany, Guatemala, stamps about science, flags, maps, stamps on stamps...
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Post by hrdoktorx on Jan 5, 2019 18:27:32 GMT
Picking stamps off the table with your finger can be tricky, however if you lick your finger first, it makes it very easy. A trick I use to move stamps when I can't get the tweezers under them is to use the tip of an eraser. It usually provides good friction to move them to a different spot where the tongs can grab a hold of them. |
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kostia84
Member
Posts: 192
What I collect: Pharmaceutics (thematic), WWII (thematic), Israel (chronologically)
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Post by kostia84 on Jan 20, 2019 7:33:08 GMT
I wonder if they call them tongs or tweezers in Monaco? I guess neither.  |
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angore
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Posts: 5,335
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Jan 20, 2019 11:32:49 GMT
Google translator for French
pinces or pince à épiler
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2019 14:24:30 GMT
Google translator for French pinces or pince à épiler The great debate, tweezers or tongs, both "seem" interchangeable in the stamp world. In French, pinces could refer to tongs, pliers or maybe tweezers. Pincettes would refer to small pliers or tongs - so perhaps more appropriate. Pince à épiler - would be tweezers used for plucking, so technically not so appropriate. Tongs, tweezers or maybe fingers - your choice, just not pliers |
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kostia84
Member
Posts: 192
What I collect: Pharmaceutics (thematic), WWII (thematic), Israel (chronologically)
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Post by kostia84 on Jan 20, 2019 14:47:25 GMT
Google translator for French pinces or pince à épiler Well, to tell the truth, what I meant to say, in the context of the thread, is that the guy on the stamp (is it Truman?) holds the stamps with his bare hands. Not bothering himself with tweezers or pinces. By the way, as I've learned today from some group on facebook, he has 6 fingers on his left hand! |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2019 15:00:23 GMT
By the way, as I've learned today from some group on facebook, he has 6 fingers on his left hand! If you like the 6 fingered Roosevelt - this SITE will provide you with plenty more stamp errors |
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kostia84
Member
Posts: 192
What I collect: Pharmaceutics (thematic), WWII (thematic), Israel (chronologically)
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Post by kostia84 on Jan 20, 2019 15:07:31 GMT
By the way, as I've learned today from some group on facebook, he has 6 fingers on his left hand! If you like the 6 fingered Roosevelt - this SITE will provide you with plenty more stamp errors Roosevelt! Of course its Roosevelt. Thanks @falshung. Nice site you recommended, by the way. |
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