Question about what tong design to get?

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DaQo'tah Forge

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Looking for tongs to hold steel better.

The problem I have is that I need to decide what type of tongs to order from a tongs maker guy.

The problem I have been having when I forge a blade comes when I cut the blade free of the bar of steel I made it out of. I still have lots to forge on the blade but my vice grips is just not working at all.

The hammer will bounce the blade right out of the jaws of the vice grips.

I saw this design of tongs: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3290575932 and thought it might be what I need to hold both ends of the blade when I am working on the other end.

Is it the best for my needs?
 
I personally prefer box tongs and duckbills for bladework. I reshape them frequently to fit the needs of the steel I'm trying to hold.
 
I must have zigged when I should have zagged. I thought i was answwering this thread and ended up in another.

I like flat tongs with 2 sides on the bottom half of the math which stop the blade moving sideways.
 
like Fitzo said go with the box jaw.... this way you can work your blade on edge and not worry about it flying out at your face.... you can always take an old pair of tongs and work out the jaws so they're flat and weld a strap of steel on to make your own box jaws.
 
I use box tongs for tanged blades, duckbill for general work, and bolt-tongs for when I'm forging-out anything that's round. Works well, and I don't feel the need to use anything else most of the time.

I agree with what Ken said: Make 'em. They're easy, but one caveat... if you can get them somewhere else cheap... why not? :)

Hey DaQotah, did you ever get a chance to mess around with that steel I gave you?
 
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