Forge Tongs for Holding rectangular stock

hathegkla

hathegkla

Joined
Feb 3, 2010
Messages
201
I have a pretty good idea of what I'm looking for but don't know the name. I need a pair of tongs for holding rectangular bar-stock, one for 1-1.5" wide by 1/8th-1/4" thick and another smaller one for gripping tangs.

I think I'm looking for a "box jaw" but really don't know what would be best for this. Right now I'm working with home made, flat jaw tongs that I occasionally reshape a little to fit my needs but they just aren't cutting it. My anvil is rather small and making another pair would take too long, I'd rather just buy some for now.

any recommendations would be welcome, or just tell me what you use for holding stock when forging a blade...that is stock that's too short to hold without tongs ;)

take in mind this is for short sections usually around 12-14"
 
Tom Tongs are the best, IMHO
The Z-box and U-box are exactly what you want. Get one in 1.25X.25and one in .75X.25. That plus pair of square jaws ( like Dan showed) will do nearly all you need for blade forging.
Ozark school of Blacksmithing is where many buy them.
Tom left us a few years ago, but his tongs live on.
http://www.ozarkschool.com/
 
The ones I showed are pretty similar to the Tom Tongs Z-box (I have one of each in different sizes). The OC tongs are a good deal heftier than the Tom Tongs so which you prefer is likely personal choice.

OC tongs are made in this country by Grant Sarver, Tom Tongs are made in Pakistan; this may matter to you.
 
Just a note, that blacksmithdepot.com site comes up as a major red flag with my GoogleChrome browser. Might be some malicious 3rd party software installed somewhere on the page.
 
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