Spring Steel Tongs

Spring steel is another type of materail for making tongs. A bit of a rare materail for making tongs, the steel is incredibly light weight and strong, it weighs much less than any other kind of steel.

Spring steel is great for a pair of anvil tongs, as far as fire tongs go they arent a good choice as heat is the biggest enemy for spring steel. If the tongs become hot and then are quenched they will harden quickly, if this is repeated there is an ever increased chance of the tongs cracking and shattering.

 An example of a set of spring steel tongs

Notice in the picture above the small section going into the reins and nibs, i would love to get hold of some nice spring steel to see about making a pair myself. From what i have been told the reason spring steel isnt more widely used in tongs other than its weakness to heat is the cost and time it takes to shape the tongs.