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Post by octavius on Jun 3, 2022 19:26:53 GMT
The Amazon ones are too thick at the business end (compared to the SG, Made in Germany, one I have). This means you can't get under the stamp to pick it up. Cheers!
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Mr. H
Member 
Member - APS #129381
Posts: 935
What I collect: US, Netherlands, Whatever suits my fancy.
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Post by Mr. H on Jun 3, 2022 20:08:31 GMT
I have a pair of Showgard 908 tongs. Not sure where or when I got them, but I really like them. They are 6" long with pointy tips.
I just checked the Showgard website and it looks like they are no longer available.
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jdtrue66
Member
Posts: 287 
What I collect: US&US FDC, Keys & Locks, NUDES, Rubber Ducks, USS NJ covers
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Post by jdtrue66 on Jun 3, 2022 20:09:58 GMT
Just curous what ones of the few 100 stamp tongs on Amazon? Compared to what one of the 4 from SG?
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tobben63
Member
Stamp eat sleep repeat
Posts: 1,866
What I collect: I collect to much, world wide!
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Post by tobben63 on Jun 3, 2022 20:51:21 GMT
I have the long 'pointy' one, several of them. 15cm or 6", Leuchtturn (Lighthouse) Pi51.
And i have one witch is wider in front ('spade'), Leuchtturn (Lighthouse) Pi52. I don't like this.
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jpotx113
Member
Posts: 460
What I collect: USA, Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Machins, misc. WW
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Post by jpotx113 on Jun 3, 2022 21:36:17 GMT
I bought a Showgard 905 last year and can't stand them, so I bought a second pair of the Leuchtturn Pi31 tongs to keep here at the office. My original Leuchtturn tongs was purchased over 20 years ago and are used almost daily (I'll have to double check to make sure they are Pi31 when I return home).
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Post by octavius on Jun 3, 2022 21:51:21 GMT
Just curous what ones of the few 100 stamp tongs on Amazon? Compared to what one of the 4 from SG? Yeah, I should have mentioned that. Here are the annoying Amazon tweezers: BinaryABC Stamp Tweezers Philately Collector Tools 2pcs (Silver) (two for $6.99) Here is the SG:
At least, I think they are the same as what I received in the mail, though these tweezers are imprinted Stanley Gibbons whereas the ones I actually got were imprinted 903, Showgard, Solingen, Germany
Cheers!
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stainlessb
Member
qaStaHvIS yIn 'ej chep
Posts: 4,642
What I collect: currently focused on most of western Europe, much of which is spent on France, Belgium, Germany and Great Britain Queen Victoria
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Post by stainlessb on Jun 3, 2022 21:58:38 GMT
i have the showgard 905 (shovel nose tips) and I like them and now have 3. I have several of the sharp pointed ones, but do noy care for them as much
I guess it's just what you get used to!
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Post by octavius on Jun 3, 2022 22:13:21 GMT
Here's some photos, with the German set on top:
Cheers!
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Post by octavius on Jun 3, 2022 22:16:02 GMT
i have the showgard 905 (shovel nose tips) and I like them and now have 3. I have several of the sharp pointed ones, but do noy care for them as much Yeah, I have some pointed ones I could use but I'm afraid of sticking myself with them 
PS. Stan, I have been enjoying your posts in the French stamp section - I recently came across a typical Phrygian cap worn by child in the Das Boot, 3rd series.
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Post by paul1 on Jun 4, 2022 8:10:18 GMT
My only pair of tongs have the shovel ends and came from those folk in the Strand, London but ........... thinking I was being clever, and when offered the straight or offset tips, I chose the latter - big mistake I think. When you pick them up, the tips need to be round the right way otherwise it's less than ideal for connecting with the stamp, but that's not to say I don't understand the rationale behind the bent tips, but if like me you're impatient it can make for some annoyance at times. Think I'll get a straight tipped pair and alternate and see which comes out on top.
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seegod1
Member
Mostly lurking these days, but enjoying everyone's input!
Posts: 164 
What I collect: Canada, Cats, Soccer, Religion, Royalty, Titanic, Stamps on Stamps, Number Ones
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Post by seegod1 on Jun 4, 2022 10:58:25 GMT
Well now you see paul1 , I don't get why anyone would use anything OTHER than a spade end, LOL! Although I do have a straight-end one which I've used, but I definitely like the spade type more. My question to everyone for feedback is this: why would I want to use pointy-ended stamp tweezers? I've never considered them because I think the risk of accidentally piercing a beloved stamp with them is too great? Or am I wrong? Or are they for a specific purpose I'm unaware of? Aaaaaaand GO.  |
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Post by paul1 on Jun 4, 2022 11:54:50 GMT
thanks seegodl - I could be wrong but it's always possible that pointed tongs used in the stamp collecting world are simply little changed examples from the world of microscopy, medicine and entomology in general, where there's a need to hold something small and delicate without damaging. Such things have probably existed unchanged for centuries - but I agree with you that using pointy-ends for stamps is a disaster waiting to happen, and don't think I'd ever use them. Spade ends are a real must for stamps. BUT, my other problem with my offset spade-ends is that when slipping a stamp behind the glassine-type strip, stamps occasionally want to spin while being held by the tweezers - so do I get out some 80 grit w. & d. and roughen the inside of the shovel tips to give extra grip;-);-)
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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 Jun 4, 2022 15:32:11 GMT
My question to everyone for feedback is this: why would I want to use pointy-ended stamp tweezers? I've never considered them because I think the risk of accidentally piercing a beloved stamp with them is too great? Or am I wrong? Or are they for a specific purpose I'm unaware of? Aaaaaaand GO. 
Peter. |
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JeffS
Member
Posts: 2,604
What I collect: Oranges Philately, US Slogan Cancels, Cape of Good Hope Triangulars, and Texas poster stamps and cinderellas
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Post by JeffS on Jun 4, 2022 15:42:09 GMT
My question to everyone for feedback is this: why would I want to use pointy-ended stamp tweezers? I've never considered them because I think the risk of accidentally piercing a beloved stamp with them is too great? Or am I wrong? Or are they for a specific purpose I'm unaware of? Aaaaaaand GO.
Peter.Me too. Over 50 years without incident. I've tried the spade tip before, and it felt like, well, a shovel. |
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philatelia
Member
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,404
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Jun 4, 2022 17:26:08 GMT
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seegod1
Member
Mostly lurking these days, but enjoying everyone's input!
Posts: 164
What I collect: Canada, Cats, Soccer, Religion, Royalty, Titanic, Stamps on Stamps, Number Ones
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Post by seegod1 on Jun 5, 2022 10:59:59 GMT
Well thanks for the input, folks... I think I may just pick up a pair should I have a chance to in Toronto this weekend. And ah yes, philatelia , I can relate - the bra, repository of crumbs AND tweezers and Any Number of Other Things, LOL! As for brightonpete 's remark about only dropping one once, you need to understand, my good man, the kind of luck *I* have... I'd only drop one once in 20 years as well - right through a 5c Connell Stamp or Inverted Jenny I'd have just found in a pile of secondhand store stamps I'd have picked up for 5 bucks! *Snort* |
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jpotx113
Member
Posts: 460
What I collect: USA, Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Machins, misc. WW
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Post by jpotx113 on Jul 7, 2022 19:19:10 GMT
I bought a pair of 6" "pointy" tongs and have been using them for the past week. I feel guilty about not using the tongs that I've been handling stamps with for the past 20 years (almost like neglecting an old friend). The difference is awesome. I should have been using a longer pair years ago.
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rex
Member
Posts: 1,150
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Post by rex on Jul 7, 2022 20:49:43 GMT
I understand you, it happened to me too.
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philatelia
Member
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,404
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Jul 7, 2022 21:02:08 GMT
AMEN to that! Charlie J turned me on to the pointy ones about ten years back and when I go back to the other ones now they feel imprecise and clunky. Love my 902 showgards!
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zipper
Member
Posts: 2,649
What I collect: Classic GB, QV, France Ceres/Napoleon, Classic U.S., Cinderella & Poster Stamps
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Post by zipper on Jul 7, 2022 21:25:04 GMT
What do you think of these? Link |
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renden
Member
Posts: 8,711
What I collect: World W collector with ++ interests in BNA (Canada etc) and USA
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Post by renden on Jul 7, 2022 23:35:55 GMT
What do you think of these? LinkDo not line the rubber tips - René |
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philatelia
Member
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,404
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Jul 8, 2022 7:30:59 GMT
How could you possibly slide that rubber tip under a stamp?
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Jerry B
Departed
Rest in Peace
Marietta, Georgia USA
Posts: 1,485
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Post by Jerry B on Jul 8, 2022 7:36:08 GMT
Hi
I have Showgard tongs for many years. I have the "long pointy ones" and a bent spade tip pair. The spade tip pair is great if I am working with stock cards. I can run them down the stockcard row to open the slots. I usualy use the Spade Tip.
Jerry B
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zipper
Member
Posts: 2,649
What I collect: Classic GB, QV, France Ceres/Napoleon, Classic U.S., Cinderella & Poster Stamps
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Post by zipper on Jul 8, 2022 20:59:32 GMT
I use the bent spade tongs. Was searching tongs and saw this. Just wondered if it would help you pointed users not to puncture an expensive stamp.
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Post by captphil on Dec 5, 2022 8:38:52 GMT
Well, I know this will sound crazy, but I use my old favorite pair of modeling tongs. They are fatal tip, very pointed, about 7 inches long, good steel. A little stiff in the grip but very precise. When I started stamp collecting again, I bought 3 pairs of philatelic tongs, round tip, spade, etc. But they all just felt wimpy next to my modeling tongs. They are sold by the American company Testors and I swear by them
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Jerry B
Departed
Rest in Peace
Marietta, Georgia USA
Posts: 1,485
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Post by Jerry B on Dec 5, 2022 10:11:51 GMT
Hi
For years I have used Showgard tongs. One is the "Pointy" type and the other Spade Tip which is at an angle. I worked part-time for a dealer and was using a lot of stock cards. The spade tip were great for this purpose. I used them to "open up" the stock card rows and to insert stamps. It got to the point that I hardly use the "Pointy" type.
Jerry B
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