Best Tongs for the Beginner

In this video, I give you my opinion on the best tongs for beginners. I feel that a pair of wolf jaw tongs is the most versatile pair of blacksmithing tongs for beginners. If you have to purchase your tongs, these would the best beginner tongs to start with. If your looking for videos on forging tongs for beginners, I have a whole list below.

My "forging tongs" videos by Christ Centered Ironworks:

Thanks for watching this video on the best tongs for the beginner. I've you're favorite tools consist of a hammer and anvil, you're in the right place! I have lots of forging videos on all kinds of topics.

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[SableWolfsDen]

Really great information Roy. I have been putting my shop together Slowly over the last couple of years for example I paid $5 to $10 a month for my 110 pound anvil on layaway for year. So it can be done on a low income. Now I am working on saving to put a good forge together and when I get it together the first thing I am going to make is a pair of those wolf jaw

[wyattkindler]

Just recently made a pair of your style of wolf jaws and i love em. I made mine out of leaf spring instead of mild steel, they are so tough, they seem like they'll last a lifetime.

[MakerMurph]

I appreciate the professional insight on what tools a beginner might need to lean towards when starting a collection. There’s so many tools out there and prioritizing them can be a daunting task. I will now add a set or two of wolf jaws onto my list! Thanks Roy!

[JohnsonKnives]

I received 2 sets of swedish made wolf jaws for christmas, WAY better than what I've made thus far. I still wish I had a nice box jaw, because knives, but I totally agree, the wolf jaws are so nice in that I can pick up most any stock. I also agree on spending the money on quality tools. If you ever get the chance, try out a good swiss file, and compare it to something from home depot... amazing difference.

[DBacaMaker]

One of the first things I have to make when I get up and running are those tongs. I watched a number of videos all extolling the virtues of wolf-jaw tongs, and they seem to be what will work for the small things I will make as I learn. Plus, it was fun to watch the video Jessica highlighted, last night, up and running. Thank you.

[balsamforge]

Followed your video and made these last week. Work great. Haven't really used anything else since

[neilyeag]

Wolf Jaws are great, but I also recommend a bent knee style. Very handy and really holds the work securely.

[ericcartrette]

Really good information here as usual!  For me, I have put off making or buying tools for a really long time.  Lately I'm thinking that if I move into making my own tools, I will learn so much more about blacksmithing as a whole and it will make me a better craftsman in the long run.  So yeah, for the most part, I THINK I will be making my tongs and other tools.  But I do need to save up for a good anvil.

[subhunter]

They are my go to tongs, I use them most of the time.

[lenblacksmith]

Good one Roy, yeah those wolf jaw are good tongs that's for sure.

[ffcrick]

Mine are the go to most of the time . Thank you and God Bless 📖✝

[johnjude]

Tongs are both a safety tools and convience tools .A flying hot piece of steel is what we need to fear.
Agree as my first and only set is wolf jaw .Agree I need a heavier set for mine are getting bent after handling heavy stock.
Thanks again Roy

[TEV]

I hear you loud and clear. A few years ago, I had the opportunity to buy three sets of tongs at $30 per pair, and turned it down. Still kicking myself over it as it would have saved me a lot of time making them when I could have been working on projects that would have paid for them several times over.

[FranconiaFriend]

Thanks, just ordered a gas forge from Centaur Forge and a set of tongs to get started ... was wondering which to start with, went with your recommendation. (Mathewson Metals MetalSmith Single Burner Forge, Centaur 2 Wolf's Jaw Tongs, 12 Rein Length ). It's a start! (from their website: " Wolf jaw tongs are known as the universal tong because they can grip multiple types and sizes of stock, compared to specialized models.")

[shadowcastre]

Wolf jaw tongs are super handy!

Roy's unicorn = Coal forge with hand crank blower! :-)

Thanks for the video...

[dkielp]

whats a good place to buy tongs and other tools? how do i know what size rivets to get?

[rhino]

Roy I’ve made some of your style of tongs, and they’ve turned out really well.
Did you break you’re power hammer again?

[bentoombs]

I screwed that up, I accidentally hit thumbs up.lol Yeah wolf Jaws are probably my favorite. I have probably 20 different styles of tongs and I use those 95% of the time.👍👍

[johnmichael]

You are definitely right about tongs Roy. What good is a $200.00 dollar hammer if you can't hold the stock good enough to hit it? !

[lenbrandstad]

The wolf jaw tongs are my next project  to make.  John over at blackbear forge just had a video on tong kits that he bought that are reasonable price.  Thanks for a great video