Stamp tongs are tweezers used in the handling of postage stamps and other philatelic items. Stamp tongs are an essential tool for any stamp collector and philatelists. They provide a reliable way of holding small pieces of paper without physically damaging the items or getting oils and dirt on them. A skilled philatelist will find them to be very efficient at handling a large number of stamps.
Stamp tongs have thin tips that can slide easily beneath a stamp. The tips have been dehoned so as to reduce the chance of tearing a stamp. They come in three different shapes:
Pointed A very narrow tip that is great for speed and precise positioning, but carries with it a higher chance of damaging the item being handled.
Round A wider tip with no sharp edges. Not as fast or precise as a pointed tip, but safer.
Spade or Shovel Broad, spatula shaped tip that provides a firmer grasp. These are good for holding larger stamps or more than one stamp at a time.
Stamp tongs also come with bent or straight tips. Some people find it easier to pick stamps up with a bent tip than a straight tip and others find that they can manipulate stamps faster using a straight tip.
The deluxe stamp tongs receive additional hand polishing on all four sides and come with a protective sleeve.
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