So I tried copper tongs for the first time and wow what a difference

I've been forging for about 4 years now and I always used steel tongs because that's what I started with. Last month I picked up a pair of copper tongs from a guy at a swap meet for $30 just to see what the hype was about. My problem was I kept getting hot spots in the metal when I was pulling stock out of the forge and my steel tongs would heat up and transfer that heat right to my hand after a few minutes. First time using the copper ones I noticed they stayed way cooler way longer and I could keep working without stopping to let them cool down. The grip felt different too like they held the metal without slipping as much. Has anyone else made the switch or am I just lucky with this one pair?

3 comments

3 Comments

olivermason18d agoMost Upvoted

Yep, the heat transfer difference is night and day once you try them.

danielm8018d ago

Wait, you're saying the material actually matters that much? I used to think it was all the same but now I'm starting to see why people shell out for the good stuff.

leewood18d ago

...and honestly, I'm not totally sold on it being that big of a deal. Like, yeah, copper conducts heat way different than steel, we all know that from high school science. But @olivermason makes it sound like it's some kind of life changing experience, and I've been using steel tongs for probably a decade without burning myself. Maybe I just got lucky with my steel ones or maybe I'm not working hot enough stock, but the difference has never been enough for me to spend the extra money. Then again, if you got a pair for thirty bucks, that's a steal, and maybe I'd feel different if I stumbled into a deal like that.