I laughed. I cried. I learned something. Can't believe you were able to make 15 minutes about tweezers so entertaining and interesting. Looking forward to 'Perf Gauges and UV Light - The Musical'. LOL
I thought, 16 minutes for a video on tongs? Really? I've never been disappointed in one of your videos yet and the same goes for this one, a fascinating presentation of tongs. Who would have ever thougt LOL
I'm amused by your story telling skills, even for such simple tool you find the way to keep me watching every single second of the video! Thank you for teaching us something new every time!
@@ExploringStamps Grahm, tell us more about CUSTOM album's creation. I'm about to create one, planning to print pages and use Davo Easy Mounts.... The only question that remains for me is - Will TOP CUT Mounts work well for some of my Stamp blocks? Or what is the best way to mount bigger blocks?
The opening scene was like a spy opening his gadget box. And it amazed me that a whole video could be dedicated to tweezers. You definitely are a philatelist with excellent showmanship. 😂😂 The idea of philatelic award with golden tweezers is really brilliant.
Wow Graham, I am impressed. When I saw the new video, I thought, "Hmm, stamp tongs/tweezers - how can he make that interesting" - but you did, and then some. The bit about Solingen was superb! You might want to give your wife an acting credit in the video information, however.
Thank you Barry, good call on giving her an acting credit, I just added it to the video description now. Thanks for watching and glad you liked the video :)
I often saw the name "Solingen" on my tongs, but never thought about it. Your videos make me sound smart when I'm talking to other collectors (unless they also watch your videos). Looking forward to more from Exploring Stamps.
I have been a stamp collector for most of my life over 60 years. After a hiatus I am back enjoying this hobby. Now with the benefit of the internet. Your videos are educational and fun. I love your style and it helps me get up to speed about the worlds biggest hobby. How do we assure you keep doing these. Thanks for sharing about tools and for the more detailed part of the hobby. Japanese stamps?
Thank you John 😊 That’s very kind of you, so glad to see you are enjoying the hobby and this channel. Maybe Japanese stamps in the near future… Thanks so much for watching!
I got my round tip tweezers in a kids stamp collecting kit when I was in primary school and have been using them ever since. Never looked very closely at them, but sure enough when I looked after watching this video, they have Solingen in tiny letters on the hinge. Funny how you can use such a small simple thing for decades and still learn something cool about it.
Fantastic video! As a fan of the angled spade, I have no idea where that places me on the tweezer (tong) spectrum, but it is indeed from Solingen, and I'd never noticed that before and I had no idea of its history! Good luck at the Golden Tweezers, Graham!
Thanks Punk! I am a fan of the angled spade myself, it places you on the cool end of the tweezer/tong spectrum :) Fingers crossed that you get best blog at the Golden Tweezers this year, you probably saw that I nominated you. Thanks for watching!
Now I know what to get my stamp doting Husband for Christmas and they'll have to be gold plated of course! Plus he has a metal allergy....;-) Thankyou. That was a brilliant education!
I still use a cheap craft set, need to upgrade! This video reminded me of a visit to a stamp dealer to purchase some mint stamps. He was very careful with his tweezers, putting the stamps gently in a little bag... When I came home I used them to mail a letter. The stamps were only worth their face value, so although I appreciated the care the dealer took, at the same time, it wasn't really needed.
Ah, it shows that there are times when careful handling of stamps with tweezers is not required. Definitely think about getting an upgrade, perhaps the gold plated tweezers?! ;)
Excellent story about something so simple as tweezers; who would have thought? Somehow you always manage to find interesting history behind every topic; even tweezers! Amazing! When I checked my own tweezers I discovered they are Showgard from Solingen Germany and I only looked because of your video lesson. BTW, love your shirt with the Exploring Stamps logo.
Thanks Gary! Glad you like the shirt and the video :D I didn't even imagine that learning about tweezers would be so interesting, it was fascinating to research and visit Solingen! Thanks for watching.
Fun episode! I've been using my pair of 902 Showgard for 30 years (since I was a kid) and never realized the Solingen part! Getting new pair any day (noticed my wife's and son's little firmer and frankly, I wanted a gold pair for the last 15-20 years so I went for it!). I use the pointed 95% the time, have my favorite pair. But I do use spade sometimes when soaking stamps. I will use the spade to hold the stamp reducing the risk of ripping the stamp since wet and then if stubborn paper use the point to slide between. I've been lectured from dealers since a little kid to use the pointed and quality, but I do use the spade for certain application. I have not forced my wife or son into what type to use, let them try and learn themselves. My very first pair was actual tweezers until I saved up enough and bought this pair 30+ years ago. Apparently Solingen will last you a long time!
Yeah Solingen definitely seems to live up to it’s reputation. I’m also using spade when lifting covers off of my desk lately, allows me to get my fingers and hand underneath the cover without bending or mishandling it. Welcome to the Gold club 😆
I am so excited to learn that the tweezer/tongs I already own say "SHOWGARD SOLINGEN GERMANY." I've had them for decades with no idea where or when I got them! :)
I cringed really hard when he picked up the stamps with BBQ tongs! Excellent video, I love when you travel to the places where the tools or stamps are made.
Hehe, I tried to be delicate with the big BBQ tongs, the only stamps damaged were from the speed round. Glad you like the video, thank you for watching :)
@@ExploringStamps I use a PRINZ 150mm pointed end... couldn't do without it for all my stamp needs... and I just checked! It is a Solingen! Hi from Guernsey, Channel Islands! We have a huge local philatelic collection, check us out!
Sold! I'm so going to get myself some gold plated tweezers, I do prefer the spade tweezers, but I am now thinking about getting the pointed tip for moving my stamps in their albums, great video!
Thanks Karen! YES you gotta get a pair of Gold plated tweezers, then we can match 😁. Also I think it is a good idea to have a pair of pointed tweezers just for moving stamps around, they are the most efficient!
Well done, Graham! I love the intro with the briefcase! My wife laughed hysterically at both of us, but we'll see what she thinks when you and I have several Golden Tweezer awards! 👍
I just re watched this episode because I am FINALLY ordering my first pair of tongs! I am getting spade tip, 15cm, with a sleeve and they are Solingen ones too! Thank you for putting this together and helping us make an informed decision about our tongs!!
What a brilliant and well made video, I am really very impressed. When I first noticed the time of the video, I thought that I would never watch the entire thing, but fast forward ... NOPE the story telling and information is well done, well researched and presented in an efficient and entertaining way FABULOUS video, well done!! I'm now a subscriber!
Love your Graf Zeppelin....always loved the blue issue specifically. I don't collect stamps much any more...but now that I'm an adult and can actually afford all those many stamps I always desired as a young man, IF I do ever get back into it...I"m going to get a set of Graf's....Outstanding video. Good for use of tongs/tweezers for use in handling ANY delicate collectible.
Excellent, they also served me well for almost 2 years, but I had a set of only 4 including a reverse "x" tweezers that need to be pressed to open and let go to close.
Another masterpiece!!! I learned a ton -- fascinating! You're videos are fabulous. I prefer the curved spade. I know how to use it and I feel there is less chance for me to damage a stamp
Thank you Zoran, I had an excellent time. I love visiting Germany and experiencing the culture and sites, the weather was only bad on the day that I filmed (of course) :)
Another great video with expert advice about something so simple as (lol) tongs...yes I'm from the USA. I have several of these and use them for different purposes, sorting, examining, working with stock books, and yes still soaking although I prefer my fingers for this as the paper is really easy to damage.
I have been using a pair of philatelic tongs with an angled flat tip spade. Albeit, I never thought about the length. Your discussion about length made sense. I have a fine feeling deficit in my right hand so have been having increasing difficulty feeling and being able to hold my 4" tongs. I believe I may very well upgrade to a larger pair based on your comments. Thanks
You will definitely notice the difference. Especially if you work with your collection over long intervals, so happy that you found this video and will be considering the recommendation ☺️thanks for watching!
I have always used the pointed tweezers i may have to try a few of the other types just to give them a try lol another great show i may have to get me a case like that one and you might have to change your combo on it since we all saw it lol
hmm, I dunno... Its a pretty hard combo to remember ;) I'm hoping everyone will forget. If you are experienced with the pointed tweezers then they could be the only pair you need. But definitely feel free to get a rounder pair in which case I would recommend the angled spade. Thanks as always for watching Aaron :)
Love it. I have a pair of the golden tongs, thought they were "cute" but haven't used :) Just checked another pair I use more frequently.. showgard solingen 905. Thanks for info.
Great story! I wouldn't have known better. There is an eBay add out at the moment that advertises stamps and uses an eyebrow tweezer in the picture, the APS has posted it a few times: instagram.com/p/B3MotUggIFc/? so at least you were corrected :D
Pincett in Swedish, had one of my favourite ones for 10 years which was perfect for me. I almost cried when it broke and I had to buy a new one... ohhh the feeling is not the same anymore :)
Oh no! I guess this proves that there is such a thing as a perfect pair of tweezers... or Pincett 🙂. You can never replace the perfect pair. Thanks for watching Christian!
Great and informative video! I hope you have plans for more video concerning the collector's instruments. Personally I use a 12 cm tweezers/tongs (pinzette, here in Italy) of the Italian brand Marini, I don't know where they're manifactured (but I wouldn't be surprised if they were german). I'm considering buying new 15 cm tweezers.
Thank you Eugenio! Interesting, I havent heard of the brand Marini before, I just looked it up and see that the company makes a number of philatelic supplies. Definitely consider getting the larger 15cm version, I think you will notice the difference when handling the stamps :) Thanks for watching.
@@ExploringStamps Yes, Marini, here, is one of most important brands in philately, the other is Bolaffi, these two are the most known brands on the market. Other players are: Masterphil and Abafil. All have a large range of philatelic supplies. Bolaffi is a stamp dealer too (prices based upon its own catalogue).
@@ExploringStamps I forgot to say that Bolaffi has its RUclips channel ( ruclips.net/channel/UCxDjKA3Yr42Wr9jhe-VrmBQ ), here you can see the coins (twice a week) and the stamps (once a week) they sell via TV.
Got my first pair of professional tweezer/tong!! Lighthouse 12cm (4 ¾ inch) and it's Solingen but no word of Solingen, just Germany and it's logo on front and a letter and numbers at the back. I got it for free!!
@@ExploringStamps yup! And it's much easier to use than my old tweezer/tong as my old tweezer was much harder and need more force to close than my new tweezer, also my old tweezer was starting to corrode even nickel-plated steel. And it's short and much heavier as it's thick than my new that was thin and lighter and longer. About 4 years maybe, PHLPost made video about philately and they called it tongs but I was also grown with tweezers like you.
Exploring Stamps Also my first stamp tweezer or tong (It may have a Philatelic War just all about Tweezers vs. Tongs 😂) was Spade-Tip Tweezers. I think i'll buy now a Solingen ones.
Wow, a friend introduced me to this channel and I love this one on tongs/tweezers. My tweezers are also Solingen and are 15 cm long. I like to use the angled spade head when soaking stamps off paper, but agree that the pointed tip has damaged some stamps in the past, mostly when trying to get soaked stamps out of the water.
Thank you Philip! I am glad that you found the channel. I didn't think of that, but of course it makes sense, the pointed tip would be very dangerous when soaking stamps. Good point! Thanks for watching :)
Another wonderful video! Interesting, funny, and extremely helpful! Thank you for all the work and research you do for us! Happy philatelic hoarding! LOL
I have the spade one and it is unisafe brand and says solingen. I don't remember paying much for it. It feels really good in the hand and handles stamps really well and it's the only stamp thongs I have ever had lol
Wow a video all about tweezers? This video has so many facts! That is super amazing history with Solingen. Philatelist tweezers (or tongs) made where medieval swords for knights were made?
Very informative ! I like my pointed tip for lifting the plastic strip in the stockbook, hold it with my finger then grab a stamp. Now my main concern is all the static electricity that attracts dust to pages.
ugh the dust on pages is a never ending battle. Like you mentioned, the point tip is perfect for lifting the plastic strips and then holding with your finger, I have been having an easier time with using it verses the other tips. Thanks for watching :)
@@ExploringStamps Is there a video on dust on the pages? I think stamps look better atop black. I have a binder with black vario sheets - when I look at my stamps I lean away. As I turn the pages I brush away the latest specks with a cosmetic brush.
Once again another great video! My favorite tongs are gold plated lethal tip. Fewer people use the gold plated....so easier to tell which are mine. I noticed your shirt has the Exploring Stamps logo.....are they available for sale anywhere?
Also.. 'Gold Plated Lethal Tips' just sounds really cool... another good reason to have them ;) Thanks for watching Joan. I was experimenting with the shirt design to see if there is any interest from viewers. I will let you know if they do become available for sale.
Like or Dislike: Like. Thank you for elaborating on the topic of tongs, and the Blade City visit was a great bonus. My collection is still too small to warrant an investment in such an accessory, but it's good to have reference material handy as the collection grows.
You are very welcome, thank you for watching. I added some links in the description to some of the manufacturers, when you are ready definitely refer to them or search platforms such as eBay and Amazon for a good pair.
Love the series -- always interesting and educational. I must admit however, that I am intrigued by what appears to be an illuminated magnifier on your table. I've been looking for something similar. Can you tell us the manufacturer and where you got it. Thanks.
Thank you James! I got this magnifier from Amazon, super cheap and honestly not that great. It doesn't even have a name or brand on it to tell you and I bought it almost 3 years ago... When I search for magnifying lamp online I find several better ones, on my wishlist to upgrade!
Thanks for the evaluation. I'll just have to keep looking. So the search continues for a second (or third?) copy of the British Guiana one-cent magenta and/or the perfect tabletop magnifier and lamp. Which will I find first?
I have pointy Showgard Solingen 902. I have wanted to buy the spoon tip. I am not good at positioning stamps in their Vario sheet row. If only the row height was a little more than the stamp and that stamps I want to place next to each other were the same height. I have souvenir sheets hogging more than half the row, so I have fun trying to find loose stamps that feel right in the leftover space - these usually float in the row. I have resorted to putting paper sleeves on my tongs, because I discovered all that grabbing and shoving scratched a stamp w/a matte black background.
Great video! I live in the boonies and haven't yet gotten a chance to buy some stamp tweezers. I did, however go to a bead store here, as my town is called the rock and gem capital of the world, and bought some pointed and spade tweezers. The pointed one worked out well for now, but the spade didn't because it's too thick. Do you know where I can order some tweezers online?
At least for now will stick with gloves and collecting Mint sheets whenever possible (yes I know that limits my focus -- but I am more of a coin collector and want to keep the stamp collecting focus simple and low maintenance, plus it seems in the US at least there is plenty to choose each year - hope that continues).
Should’ve watched your video first. My childhood tongs are 4 1/2” and I just ordered a new pair of 4 1/2” tweezers from my dealer because that’s what I was used to. I’ll have to grow into the 6” tongs, I guess.
I actually like them. My only experience however has been with cheap versions, but I would totally be interested in a quality (made for stamp) x type tweezer. Probably not the best for placing stamps in stockbooks, but rather to hold them under a magnifying glass or examine among other stamps in your collection without having to squeeze the blades together.
I laughed. I cried. I learned something. Can't believe you were able to make 15 minutes about tweezers so entertaining and interesting. Looking forward to 'Perf Gauges and UV Light - The Musical'. LOL
🤣. A musical!!! Thanks for the idea Paul! 😅
instablaster...
I thought, 16 minutes for a video on tongs? Really? I've never been disappointed in one of your videos yet and the same goes for this one, a fascinating presentation of tongs. Who would have ever thougt LOL
I'm amused by your story telling skills, even for such simple tool you find the way to keep me watching every single second of the video! Thank you for teaching us something new every time!
:D Glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for the awesome comment and for watching the channel Andriy
@@ExploringStamps Grahm, tell us more about CUSTOM album's creation. I'm about to create one, planning to print pages and use Davo Easy Mounts.... The only question that remains for me is - Will TOP CUT Mounts work well for some of my Stamp blocks? Or what is the best way to mount bigger blocks?
The opening scene was like a spy opening his gadget box. And it amazed me that a whole video could be dedicated to tweezers. You definitely are a philatelist with excellent showmanship. 😂😂 The idea of philatelic award with golden tweezers is really brilliant.
There'd be a brawl between the European and US judges over naming the award -- tweezer? -- or TONG?
@@jnagarya519 😂😂😂exactly
Wow Graham, I am impressed. When I saw the new video, I thought, "Hmm, stamp tongs/tweezers - how can he make that interesting" - but you did, and then some. The bit about Solingen was superb! You might want to give your wife an acting credit in the video information, however.
Thank you Barry, good call on giving her an acting credit, I just added it to the video description now. Thanks for watching and glad you liked the video :)
I often saw the name "Solingen" on my tongs, but never thought about it. Your videos make me sound smart when I'm talking to other collectors (unless they also watch your videos). Looking forward to more from Exploring Stamps.
LOL, thanks Chai! Only smart people such as yourself watch this channel, so you should be good ;) Haha thanks for watching!
The production values of this video - well all of your, but this is outstanding - is off the charts.
Thank you for sharing and entertaining us.
Golden Tweezer Award ... Too Funny :-)
:D
Point
Very cool (and funny) video! Good luck at the 2020 Golden Tweezers, I mean tongs, wait, no. Tweezers? Tongs? Twongs?
LOL, the Golden TWONGS award :D Thanks for watching!
I almost skipped watching this video as the title wasn't the most appealing. So glad I watched it. Cheers Graham!
oh whew! 😅. Glad you decided to watch it.
I have been a stamp collector for most of my life over 60 years. After a hiatus I am back enjoying this hobby. Now with the benefit of the internet. Your videos are educational and fun. I love your style and it helps me get up to speed about the worlds biggest hobby. How do we assure you keep doing these. Thanks for sharing about tools and for the more detailed part of the hobby. Japanese stamps?
Thank you John 😊 That’s very kind of you, so glad to see you are enjoying the hobby and this channel. Maybe Japanese stamps in the near future… Thanks so much for watching!
Love the spy movie vibed in that intro
I got my round tip tweezers in a kids stamp collecting kit when I was in primary school and have been using them ever since. Never looked very closely at them, but sure enough when I looked after watching this video, they have Solingen in tiny letters on the hinge. Funny how you can use such a small simple thing for decades and still learn something cool about it.
🗡 🤗 awesome!! so cool to see that you learned something about a tool that you have been using for years. Thanks so much for watching!
Fantastic video! As a fan of the angled spade, I have no idea where that places me on the tweezer (tong) spectrum, but it is indeed from Solingen, and I'd never noticed that before and I had no idea of its history! Good luck at the Golden Tweezers, Graham!
Thanks Punk! I am a fan of the angled spade myself, it places you on the cool end of the tweezer/tong spectrum :) Fingers crossed that you get best blog at the Golden Tweezers this year, you probably saw that I nominated you. Thanks for watching!
Nice movie lern alot
Your video never cease to amaze me. I always learn so much out of them. You are a role model when it comes about philately. Thank you.
Thank you Sylvain, glad to hear that you are learning from the videos and enjoy them. Thanks for watching! :)
Now I know what to get my stamp doting Husband for Christmas and they'll have to be gold plated of course! Plus he has a metal allergy....;-) Thankyou. That was a brilliant education!
Glad I could help! Thanks for watching Kathryn and I hope your husband loves the gift 🙂.
I still use a cheap craft set, need to upgrade! This video reminded me of a visit to a stamp dealer to purchase some mint stamps. He was very careful with his tweezers, putting the stamps gently in a little bag... When I came home I used them to mail a letter. The stamps were only worth their face value, so although I appreciated the care the dealer took, at the same time, it wasn't really needed.
Ah, it shows that there are times when careful handling of stamps with tweezers is not required. Definitely think about getting an upgrade, perhaps the gold plated tweezers?! ;)
Congratulations on your golden tweezer award 🥇
We all knew that you were going to win
La visite du musée est une très bonne idée.
Toujours professionnel
Merci mon cher
Je suis content que vous l'aimiez, merci d'avoir regardé 😃
Excellent story about something so simple as tweezers; who would have thought? Somehow you always manage to find interesting history behind every topic; even tweezers! Amazing! When I checked my own tweezers I discovered they are Showgard from Solingen Germany and I only looked because of your video lesson. BTW, love your shirt with the Exploring Stamps logo.
Thanks Gary! Glad you like the shirt and the video :D I didn't even imagine that learning about tweezers would be so interesting, it was fascinating to research and visit Solingen! Thanks for watching.
Fun episode! I've been using my pair of 902 Showgard for 30 years (since I was a kid) and never realized the Solingen part! Getting new pair any day (noticed my wife's and son's little firmer and frankly, I wanted a gold pair for the last 15-20 years so I went for it!). I use the pointed 95% the time, have my favorite pair. But I do use spade sometimes when soaking stamps. I will use the spade to hold the stamp reducing the risk of ripping the stamp since wet and then if stubborn paper use the point to slide between. I've been lectured from dealers since a little kid to use the pointed and quality, but I do use the spade for certain application. I have not forced my wife or son into what type to use, let them try and learn themselves. My very first pair was actual tweezers until I saved up enough and bought this pair 30+ years ago. Apparently Solingen will last you a long time!
Yeah Solingen definitely seems to live up to it’s reputation. I’m also using spade when lifting covers off of my desk lately, allows me to get my fingers and hand underneath the cover without bending or mishandling it. Welcome to the Gold club 😆
I am so excited to learn that the tweezer/tongs I already own say "SHOWGARD SOLINGEN GERMANY." I've had them for decades with no idea where or when I got them! :)
My favorite Tongs have always been Showgard Model 905. Thanks for explaining all the different types!!!
I cringed really hard when he picked up the stamps with BBQ tongs! Excellent video, I love when you travel to the places where the tools or stamps are made.
Hehe, I tried to be delicate with the big BBQ tongs, the only stamps damaged were from the speed round. Glad you like the video, thank you for watching :)
Excellent! Had to share. Also, pointed Showgard 902.
Ah yes, the lethal 902, elegant but deadly 😎
I always wondered if you'd make a video on tweezers... WOW... you nailed it!
Thank you :) Glad you liked it!
@@ExploringStamps I use a PRINZ 150mm pointed end... couldn't do without it for all my stamp needs... and I just checked! It is a Solingen! Hi from Guernsey, Channel Islands! We have a huge local philatelic collection, check us out!
Sold! I'm so going to get myself some gold plated tweezers, I do prefer the spade tweezers, but I am now thinking about getting the pointed tip for moving my stamps in their albums, great video!
Thanks Karen! YES you gotta get a pair of Gold plated tweezers, then we can match 😁. Also I think it is a good idea to have a pair of pointed tweezers just for moving stamps around, they are the most efficient!
I have used the large pointed tip from the start. I love the humor of this video.
A skilled lethal tip user from the start! very cool, glad you like the video and thank you for watching Antonio :D
Trop belle la pince en or. Encore une magnifique vidéo!!
Excellent video! Thumbs up
Well done, Graham! I love the intro with the briefcase! My wife laughed hysterically at both of us, but we'll see what she thinks when you and I have several Golden Tweezer awards! 👍
LOL yes! She won't be laughing when we have to buy a new mansion to fit our many GT awards... Just wait ;)
I just re watched this episode because I am FINALLY ordering my first pair of tongs! I am getting spade tip, 15cm, with a sleeve and they are Solingen ones too! Thank you for putting this together and helping us make an informed decision about our tongs!!
The Golden Tweezers Award's Tweezer was looks like a thing to put in nose 😂😂😂
LOL!!!
@@ExploringStamps did you make me a secret shout-out from the donkey?! I can't get move on to that 😂 😂
What a brilliant and well made video, I am really very impressed. When I first noticed the time of the video, I thought that I would never watch the entire thing, but fast forward ... NOPE the story telling and information is well done, well researched and presented in an efficient and entertaining way FABULOUS video, well done!! I'm now a subscriber!
I subscribed quickly. Nice work mate, a lot of informations in a single video :D
Happy collecting, from Italy!
Thank you for subscribing and watching in Italy 🇮🇹!!
VERY INFORMATIVE VIDEO! I now know I am using the wrong tweezers. Thanks for all this information. :)
You are very welcome! Thank you for watching as always 😃
Love your Graf Zeppelin....always loved the blue issue specifically. I don't collect stamps much any more...but now that I'm an adult and can actually afford all those many stamps I always desired as a young man, IF I do ever get back into it...I"m going to get a set of Graf's....Outstanding video. Good for use of tongs/tweezers for use in handling ANY delicate collectible.
Thank you Graham !!!! Very interesting. It is a study of a surgical precision! My thong has its ends in paws of seals! 😂 Mike
I got a set of 7 stainless steel tweasers from my local hardware store as a free gift when you made a purchase! They work out nicely!
Excellent, they also served me well for almost 2 years, but I had a set of only 4 including a reverse "x" tweezers that need to be pressed to open and let go to close.
Didn't know tweezers/tongs could be this interesting. Haha.
Regards, fellow philatelist
Love from India 🇮🇳
Glad you found it interesting :) Thank you for watching in India!
Merci pour cette superbe vidéo .... Et comment ne pas rire pendant les awards... Bravo et merci !
Another masterpiece!!! I learned a ton -- fascinating! You're videos are fabulous. I prefer the curved spade. I know how to use it and I feel there is less chance for me to damage a stamp
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed the video Dan. The curved spade is my go-to tool for handling stamps as well. Thanks for watching :)
So nice video. Nice to see that you visited Germany. Wetter was bad but I hope you had a good time.
Thank you Zoran, I had an excellent time. I love visiting Germany and experiencing the culture and sites, the weather was only bad on the day that I filmed (of course) :)
Another great video with expert advice about something so simple as (lol) tongs...yes I'm from the USA. I have several of these and use them for different purposes, sorting, examining, working with stock books, and yes still soaking although I prefer my fingers for this as the paper is really easy to damage.
I have been using a pair of philatelic tongs with an angled flat tip spade. Albeit, I never thought about the length. Your discussion about length made sense. I have a fine feeling deficit in my right hand so have been having increasing difficulty feeling and being able to hold my 4" tongs. I believe I may very well upgrade to a larger pair based on your comments. Thanks
You will definitely notice the difference. Especially if you work with your collection over long intervals, so happy that you found this video and will be considering the recommendation ☺️thanks for watching!
I have always used the pointed tweezers i may have to try a few of the other types just to give them a try lol another great show i may have to get me a case like that one and you might have to change your combo on it since we all saw it lol
hmm, I dunno... Its a pretty hard combo to remember ;) I'm hoping everyone will forget. If you are experienced with the pointed tweezers then they could be the only pair you need. But definitely feel free to get a rounder pair in which case I would recommend the angled spade. Thanks as always for watching Aaron :)
Love it. I have a pair of the golden tongs, thought they were "cute" but haven't used :) Just checked another pair I use more frequently.. showgard solingen 905. Thanks for info.
I like your Philatelic style, Charlene :)
Wow! u have got a lot of stamps from Poland!
I do! Thank you for watching in Poland 🇵🇱😁
When I was a kid my mum gave me her eyebrow tweezer, then someone noticed it and obliged me to buy a more correct one :D
Great story! I wouldn't have known better. There is an eBay add out at the moment that advertises stamps and uses an eyebrow tweezer in the picture, the APS has posted it a few times: instagram.com/p/B3MotUggIFc/? so at least you were corrected :D
They were saying on Stamp Show Here Today, that TSA gave them grief over Stamp Tongs but as Tweezer they had no TSA issues.
That’s interesting!! Who would have thought that the word ‘tongs’ could be perceived as something more dangerous to ‘tweezers’ !?
Pincett in Swedish, had one of my favourite ones for 10 years which was perfect for me. I almost cried when it broke and I had to buy a new one... ohhh the feeling is not the same anymore :)
Oh no! I guess this proves that there is such a thing as a perfect pair of tweezers... or Pincett 🙂. You can never replace the perfect pair. Thanks for watching Christian!
Fantastic video! Loved the touch of Animation added!
I use the pointy head aka the lethal tip tweezers! 😜
Thank you Nirav, another philatelist sporting a lethal tip, impressive! :) Thanks for watching.
Great and informative video! I hope you have plans for more video concerning the collector's instruments.
Personally I use a 12 cm tweezers/tongs (pinzette, here in Italy) of the Italian brand Marini, I don't know where they're manifactured (but I wouldn't be surprised if they were german). I'm considering buying new 15 cm tweezers.
Thank you Eugenio! Interesting, I havent heard of the brand Marini before, I just looked it up and see that the company makes a number of philatelic supplies. Definitely consider getting the larger 15cm version, I think you will notice the difference when handling the stamps :) Thanks for watching.
@@ExploringStamps Yes, Marini, here, is one of most important brands in philately, the other is Bolaffi, these two are the most known brands on the market. Other players are: Masterphil and Abafil. All have a large range of philatelic supplies. Bolaffi is a stamp dealer too (prices based upon its own catalogue).
Thank you for sharing this Eugenio, now I know! I will keep a look out for these brands :)
@@ExploringStamps I forgot to say that Bolaffi has its RUclips channel ( ruclips.net/channel/UCxDjKA3Yr42Wr9jhe-VrmBQ ), here you can see the coins (twice a week) and the stamps (once a week) they sell via TV.
Fantastic video! (again) Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it 😀. Thanks for watching!
Got my first pair of professional tweezer/tong!! Lighthouse 12cm (4 ¾ inch) and it's Solingen but no word of Solingen, just Germany and it's logo on front and a letter and numbers at the back. I got it for free!!
Excellent!!! 🙌do you like them?!?
@@ExploringStamps yup! And it's much easier to use than my old tweezer/tong as my old tweezer was much harder and need more force to close than my new tweezer, also my old tweezer was starting to corrode even nickel-plated steel. And it's short and much heavier as it's thick than my new that was thin and lighter and longer. About 4 years maybe, PHLPost made video about philately and they called it tongs but I was also grown with tweezers like you.
That's an interesting video wrt philatelic stationery bro.. Keep up the great work👍
Will do! Glad you liked it and thanks for watching as always 😃
As always, fantastic video. Is it wrong I feel I need a gold plated pair of tongs now?
DOOO IT! :D thanks for watching!
Graham, great video. Thanks
Thanks David, glad you like it :)
Another exceptionally informative video!
Exploring Stamps Also my first stamp tweezer or tong (It may have a Philatelic War just all about Tweezers vs. Tongs 😂) was Spade-Tip Tweezers. I think i'll buy now a Solingen ones.
I love the spade and bent spade tips, cool if you can get a longer pair made in Solingen 👍
@@ExploringStamps But no one was selling Solingen Stamp Tweezers here in the Philippines 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Entertaining and informative. I use Showgard 902s, the long pointy ones. Better than any other tong I've every used.
Efficient and lethal, there really is a big difference between point tip and the others, and the Showgard brand is excellent.
Amazing video again! Thanks for making my day better
Glad I could help to make your day better :) Thank you for watching!
excellent, highly entertaining-why not a golden tweezer(tongs) award?!
Wow, a friend introduced me to this channel and I love this one on tongs/tweezers. My tweezers are also Solingen and are 15 cm long. I like to use the angled spade head when soaking stamps off paper, but agree that the pointed tip has damaged some stamps in the past, mostly when trying to get soaked stamps out of the water.
Thank you Philip! I am glad that you found the channel. I didn't think of that, but of course it makes sense, the pointed tip would be very dangerous when soaking stamps. Good point! Thanks for watching :)
Another wonderful video! Interesting, funny, and extremely helpful! Thank you for all the work and research you do for us! Happy philatelic hoarding! LOL
You are very welcome Todd, glad you like the video, and thank you for watching :)
I have the spade one and it is unisafe brand and says solingen. I don't remember paying much for it. It feels really good in the hand and handles stamps really well and it's the only stamp thongs I have ever had lol
Wow a video all about tweezers? This video has so many facts! That is super amazing history with Solingen. Philatelist tweezers (or tongs) made where medieval swords for knights were made?
Very informative ! I like my pointed tip for lifting the plastic strip in the stockbook, hold it with my finger then grab a stamp. Now my main concern is all the static electricity that attracts dust to pages.
ugh the dust on pages is a never ending battle. Like you mentioned, the point tip is perfect for lifting the plastic strips and then holding with your finger, I have been having an easier time with using it verses the other tips. Thanks for watching :)
@@ExploringStamps Is there a video on dust on the pages? I think stamps look better atop black. I have a binder with black vario sheets - when I look at my stamps I lean away. As I turn the pages I brush away the latest specks with a cosmetic brush.
Excellent video!!
Thank you!!
The robotic edit at like 2:50🔥
🤖🔥
Very informative video. Thanks for sharing...
The Man with the Golden Tongs. Working on the theme song. I’m from Stamps: Exploring Stamps
Perhaps the awards should be the "Rowlands".
oooo, "The 2019 Rowland Awards"... That works!
Another superb video. Pointy ones for me for all the reasons you described.
Great video. I am a curved spade user but they are a pain to open the stock book panes. I use a taper of hard plastic for that
Tongs or tweezers are quite important. I once ripped a very nice stamp just because i didnt use tongs. Been using tongs ever since.
Done the same thing myself, in a rush and used my fingers instead of tweezers, never again 😅!
This is so helpful thank you!!
Once again another great video! My favorite tongs are gold plated lethal tip. Fewer people use the gold plated....so easier to tell which are mine.
I noticed your shirt has the Exploring Stamps logo.....are they available for sale anywhere?
Also.. 'Gold Plated Lethal Tips' just sounds really cool... another good reason to have them ;) Thanks for watching Joan. I was experimenting with the shirt design to see if there is any interest from viewers. I will let you know if they do become available for sale.
That is funny - here in Canada we call them tweezers too. I have never heard them called them tongs here.
Like or Dislike: Like. Thank you for elaborating on the topic of tongs, and the Blade City visit was a great bonus. My collection is still too small to warrant an investment in such an accessory, but it's good to have reference material handy as the collection grows.
You are very welcome, thank you for watching. I added some links in the description to some of the manufacturers, when you are ready definitely refer to them or search platforms such as eBay and Amazon for a good pair.
One of My album has a slot In the back cover for storing tweezers.
Any reviews of magnifying glasses?
Love the series -- always interesting and educational. I must admit however, that I am intrigued by what appears to be an illuminated magnifier on your table. I've been looking for something similar. Can you tell us the manufacturer and where you got it. Thanks.
Thank you James! I got this magnifier from Amazon, super cheap and honestly not that great. It doesn't even have a name or brand on it to tell you and I bought it almost 3 years ago... When I search for magnifying lamp online I find several better ones, on my wishlist to upgrade!
Thanks for the evaluation. I'll just have to keep looking. So the search continues for a second (or third?) copy of the British Guiana one-cent magenta and/or the perfect tabletop magnifier and lamp. Which will I find first?
I have pointy Showgard Solingen 902. I have wanted to buy the spoon tip.
I am not good at positioning stamps in their Vario sheet row. If only the row height was a little more than the stamp and that stamps I want to place next to each other were the same height. I have souvenir sheets hogging more than half the row, so I have fun trying to find loose stamps that feel right in the leftover space - these usually float in the row. I have resorted to putting paper sleeves on my tongs, because I discovered all that grabbing and shoving scratched a stamp w/a matte black background.
I prefer the rounded points because they are easier to handle and it's the only pair I got. And it is from the PRINZ company and says Solingen.
Awesome, Solingen PRINZ tweezers with the rounded tip is a great pair to have. Thanks for sharing :)
Very nice video :)
Thank you :)
Great video! I live in the boonies and haven't yet gotten a chance to buy some stamp tweezers. I did, however go to a bead store here, as my town is called the rock and gem capital of the world, and bought some pointed and spade tweezers. The pointed one worked out well for now, but the spade didn't because it's too thick. Do you know where I can order some tweezers online?
Showguard 906 are my goto. They are tongs to me
I’m a fan of the Angled Spade myself 👍
Can you do a vid on choosing a good magnifying glass. Thanks .
At least for now will stick with gloves and collecting Mint sheets whenever possible (yes I know that limits my focus -- but I am more of a coin collector and want to keep the stamp collecting focus simple and low maintenance, plus it seems in the US at least there is plenty to choose each year - hope that continues).
Nice video as always Graham, who is the lady at 7:18? :)
Thank you! That is my lovely wife Laura who is also the camera person on all these trips :)
@@ExploringStamps How lovely^^ does she collect stamps too, and what are her thoughts on your hobby and channel?
LOVED your video about Greenland.
Except that you neglected to include the fact that during blizzards polar bears are invisible.
Ah!! So a stamp idea for Greenland could be a a blank white stamp, titled “Polar Bear in a Blizzard” 😆 🐻❄️
How do you go about knowing what price is and what your stamps are worth?
Should’ve watched your video first. My childhood tongs are 4 1/2” and I just ordered a new pair of 4 1/2” tweezers from my dealer because that’s what I was used to. I’ll have to grow into the 6” tongs, I guess.
I usually use a bent Spade Showguard (Solingen) #907.
Nice! Favorite of mine as well 👍
I'm using the pointed one.
Efficient and lethal ⚔️
I've been wanting to ask you if you would ever consider making a video on United States Federal duck stamps?
I’ll definitely consider it Todd, I will add it to the backlog. Thanks for the suggestion 🙂
@@ExploringStamps thank you for considering! Your research is very thorough and interesting.
I wonder if you have ever used cross-lock tweezers and, if so, what is your opinion of them.
I actually like them. My only experience however has been with cheap versions, but I would totally be interested in a quality (made for stamp) x type tweezer. Probably not the best for placing stamps in stockbooks, but rather to hold them under a magnifying glass or examine among other stamps in your collection without having to squeeze the blades together.
My tweezers have Solingen on them, from Showgard. By the way, I'm in the USA and call them tweezers. Tongs are for salads. LOL I have an angled spade.
Team Tweezers!! 🙌 tongs are for salads and grilling.
I hope that's your wife presenting you with the award
That is my wife! Its her RUclips debut :)
@@ExploringStamps welcome to RUclips Mrs Beck ... hope we see you more often