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What we collect!
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General Philatelic/Gen. Discussion : Share your favorite Stamporama info “find” & stamp tong discussion

 

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philatelia
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APS #156650

27 Aug 2019
09:07:52am
There is so much philatelic wit and wisdom to be found in an online stamp club. Sometimes someone shares a little bit of advice that really increases your enjoyment of our hobby.

Here is an example: For 50 years I used spade tongs. I never really gave it much thought. The first pair my dad gave me were spades so I always bought those. But then I read a post by our favorite old salt, Charlie Jensen, who talked about his fine point tongs. I bought a pair and OMG I will never go back to spades! They are so much more precise! It is a small change, but it made a big difference to me.

So, do you have a similar story? Has a comment here helped you or changed how you collect?
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"Just one more small collection, hun, really! LoL "
michael78651
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27 Aug 2019
10:35:57am
re: Share your favorite Stamporama info “find” & stamp tong discussion

I have seen many stamps that were handled with pointed tongs to have "pin holes" in them. If you use pointed tongs, be very careful how you pick up the stamps.

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philatelia
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APS #156650

27 Aug 2019
11:04:43am
re: Share your favorite Stamporama info “find” & stamp tong discussion

Here is a pic of the tongs I use. They have a slightly rounded tip, so pinholes are not likely. I think Michael is referring to those really pointed tongs which are very sharp.


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"Just one more small collection, hun, really! LoL "
SForgCa
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27 Aug 2019
11:36:46am
re: Share your favorite Stamporama info “find” & stamp tong discussion

Aside from the noted issue with pointed tip types, picking the item up is a complaint.
The curved spade types (5-6") remedy both problems.

Image Not Found

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"https://stampforgeries.blogspot.com/"
BenFranklin1902
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Tom in Exton, PA

27 Aug 2019
11:53:24am

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re: Share your favorite Stamporama info “find” & stamp tong discussion

I found my local stamp club here! A few years ago Vinman (Vince) invited me to attend his stamp club. I joined and have been a member ever since!

We also joined a second group "The Philatelic Gathering" that meets at the Chester County Historical Society. Pigdoc (Paul) also comes to those meetings!


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Coastwatcher
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APS #230539

28 Aug 2019
07:06:43am
re: Share your favorite Stamporama info “find” & stamp tong discussion

i just ordered a pair of spade tipped angled tongs yesterday. I mislaid my tongs while stamping and had to do without for several hours until I found them. I vowed to get another pair in case it happened again and decided to try the angled ones.

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"“The President of today is just the postage stamp of tomorrow.” ~ Gracie Allen"
angore
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Collector, Moderator

28 Aug 2019
08:10:22am
re: Share your favorite Stamporama info “find” & stamp tong discussion

I have a pointed one and a spade one. I like the pointer more since it is longer to reach in Vario page pockets.

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"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
smauggie
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28 Aug 2019
02:43:03pm
re: Share your favorite Stamporama info “find” & stamp tong discussion

I have large hands so I have to get the longest tongs I can get my hands on.

One item that I learned that I value is David teaching me about US rates.

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canalzonepostalhistory.wordpress.com
GeoStamper
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Steve

28 Aug 2019
03:51:12pm
re: Share your favorite Stamporama info “find” & stamp tong discussion

Started with small "kid" spade tongs in the mid 60's and never thought anything more about it for years. Then someone mentioned "dealer tongs," and my life changed for the better.

Now I have at least ten pairs of tongs, some with specific uses. Short ones for travel, stamp store and stamp shows. Small magnifying glass too.

Longer pointed ones for fine work. Long rounded end ("paddle"?) and long angled spade for general use and sorting.

And a couple spares, just in case... Happy

-Steve

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"What are you waiting for? Those stamps aren't going to collect themselves."
cdj1122
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..

29 Aug 2019
07:07:36am
re: Share your favorite Stamporama info “find” & stamp tong discussion

" ... The curved spade types (5-6") remedy both problems. ..."

Very handy although I mostly use them to count out the weekly medications. They are available at Hobby Lobby in the aisle devoted to creative beadwork. About $6.00.

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".... You may think you understood what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you think you heard is not what I thought I meant. .... "
cougar
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30 Aug 2019
02:16:33am

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re: Share your favorite Stamporama info “find” & stamp tong discussion

"Here is a pic of the tongs I use. They have a slightly rounded tip, so pinholes are not likely. I think Michael is referring to those really pointed tongs which are very sharp."



It may still happen when you pick up mint stamps at the wrong angle. Not a real hole, but a visible indentation more pronounced on the back of the stamp. If you are careful or deal with used stamps only, there should be zero issues.
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cdj1122
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..

30 Aug 2019
02:47:37am
re: Share your favorite Stamporama info “find” & stamp tong discussion

" ....I like the pointer more since it is longer
to reach in Vario page pockets....."


I do as well and I seldom find the points damaging stamps. Occasionally if I am soaking a small tray of used, (of course), and get distracted so that a stamp is soaking overlong there might be some damage, but considering the thousands of stamps I soak and sort the percentage of damaged stamps is minuscule, probably less than a hundredth ( ‹O.0001 ) of one percent. And that is more likely due to my inattention than the tip of a tong being sharp.The best rule in the situation is "Whatever floats your boat."

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".... You may think you understood what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you think you heard is not what I thought I meant. .... "
        

 

Author/Postings
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philatelia

APS #156650
27 Aug 2019
09:07:52am

There is so much philatelic wit and wisdom to be found in an online stamp club. Sometimes someone shares a little bit of advice that really increases your enjoyment of our hobby.

Here is an example: For 50 years I used spade tongs. I never really gave it much thought. The first pair my dad gave me were spades so I always bought those. But then I read a post by our favorite old salt, Charlie Jensen, who talked about his fine point tongs. I bought a pair and OMG I will never go back to spades! They are so much more precise! It is a small change, but it made a big difference to me.

So, do you have a similar story? Has a comment here helped you or changed how you collect?

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Just one more small collection, hun, really! LoL "
Members Picture
michael78651

27 Aug 2019
10:35:57am

re: Share your favorite Stamporama info “find” & stamp tong discussion

I have seen many stamps that were handled with pointed tongs to have "pin holes" in them. If you use pointed tongs, be very careful how you pick up the stamps.

Like
Login to Like
this post

www.hipstamp.com/sto ...
Members Picture
philatelia

APS #156650
27 Aug 2019
11:04:43am

re: Share your favorite Stamporama info “find” & stamp tong discussion

Here is a pic of the tongs I use. They have a slightly rounded tip, so pinholes are not likely. I think Michael is referring to those really pointed tongs which are very sharp.


Image Not Found

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

"Just one more small collection, hun, really! LoL "
Members Picture
SForgCa

27 Aug 2019
11:36:46am

re: Share your favorite Stamporama info “find” & stamp tong discussion

Aside from the noted issue with pointed tip types, picking the item up is a complaint.
The curved spade types (5-6") remedy both problems.

Image Not Found

Like
Login to Like
this post

"https://stampforgeries.blogspot.com/"
Members Picture
BenFranklin1902

Tom in Exton, PA
27 Aug 2019
11:53:24am

Approvals

re: Share your favorite Stamporama info “find” & stamp tong discussion

I found my local stamp club here! A few years ago Vinman (Vince) invited me to attend his stamp club. I joined and have been a member ever since!

We also joined a second group "The Philatelic Gathering" that meets at the Chester County Historical Society. Pigdoc (Paul) also comes to those meetings!


Like 
4 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
Members Picture
Coastwatcher

APS #230539
28 Aug 2019
07:06:43am

re: Share your favorite Stamporama info “find” & stamp tong discussion

i just ordered a pair of spade tipped angled tongs yesterday. I mislaid my tongs while stamping and had to do without for several hours until I found them. I vowed to get another pair in case it happened again and decided to try the angled ones.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"“The President of today is just the postage stamp of tomorrow.” ~ Gracie Allen"
Members Picture
angore

Collector, Moderator
28 Aug 2019
08:10:22am

re: Share your favorite Stamporama info “find” & stamp tong discussion

I have a pointed one and a spade one. I like the pointer more since it is longer to reach in Vario page pockets.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
Members Picture
smauggie

28 Aug 2019
02:43:03pm

re: Share your favorite Stamporama info “find” & stamp tong discussion

I have large hands so I have to get the longest tongs I can get my hands on.

One item that I learned that I value is David teaching me about US rates.

Like
Login to Like
this post

canalzonepostalhisto ...
Members Picture
GeoStamper

Steve
28 Aug 2019
03:51:12pm

re: Share your favorite Stamporama info “find” & stamp tong discussion

Started with small "kid" spade tongs in the mid 60's and never thought anything more about it for years. Then someone mentioned "dealer tongs," and my life changed for the better.

Now I have at least ten pairs of tongs, some with specific uses. Short ones for travel, stamp store and stamp shows. Small magnifying glass too.

Longer pointed ones for fine work. Long rounded end ("paddle"?) and long angled spade for general use and sorting.

And a couple spares, just in case... Happy

-Steve

Like
Login to Like
this post

"What are you waiting for? Those stamps aren't going to collect themselves."

Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
29 Aug 2019
07:07:36am

re: Share your favorite Stamporama info “find” & stamp tong discussion

" ... The curved spade types (5-6") remedy both problems. ..."

Very handy although I mostly use them to count out the weekly medications. They are available at Hobby Lobby in the aisle devoted to creative beadwork. About $6.00.

Like
Login to Like
this post

".... You may think you understood what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you think you heard is not what I thought I meant. .... "
Members Picture
cougar

30 Aug 2019
02:16:33am

Approvals

re: Share your favorite Stamporama info “find” & stamp tong discussion

"Here is a pic of the tongs I use. They have a slightly rounded tip, so pinholes are not likely. I think Michael is referring to those really pointed tongs which are very sharp."



It may still happen when you pick up mint stamps at the wrong angle. Not a real hole, but a visible indentation more pronounced on the back of the stamp. If you are careful or deal with used stamps only, there should be zero issues.
Like
Login to Like
this post

Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
30 Aug 2019
02:47:37am

re: Share your favorite Stamporama info “find” & stamp tong discussion

" ....I like the pointer more since it is longer
to reach in Vario page pockets....."


I do as well and I seldom find the points damaging stamps. Occasionally if I am soaking a small tray of used, (of course), and get distracted so that a stamp is soaking overlong there might be some damage, but considering the thousands of stamps I soak and sort the percentage of damaged stamps is minuscule, probably less than a hundredth ( ‹O.0001 ) of one percent. And that is more likely due to my inattention than the tip of a tong being sharp.The best rule in the situation is "Whatever floats your boat."

Like
Login to Like
this post

".... You may think you understood what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you think you heard is not what I thought I meant. .... "
        

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