Talked to an old farrier at a swap meet who changed how I look at tongs

He said he's been using the same pair of tongs for 37 years because he never lets them leave his hand mid-project - just sets them down in the same spot every time. Made me realize I've been dropping mine on the floor and bending the jaws out of shape like an animal. Any of you guys got a tool you treat like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

lopez.simon2d agoMost Upvoted

Yeah, that thing about never letting them leave your hand really hit me. I had the same problem with my linesman pliers, just tossing them in the toolbox whenever I finished a quick job. Started keeping them on my belt loop with a leather sheath so they're always in the same spot. Been about four years now and the jaws still cut clean and the grip is tight, no wobble at all. Also stopped using them as a hammer, which probably helped more than the belt trick.

joseph_torres2d ago

Man, that hammer part got me. I think half the tool abuse out there comes from people using stuff for stuff it wasn't made for. Simple habit changes like the belt thing really do make tools last way longer.