Knifemaking tongs the EASY way!

I deep dive demonstration of how to make some easy tongs that are great for knife making and all around blacksmithing. I teach how to forge in the lips, the tapers, and how to place the rivet. The entire video is sprinkled with tips and tricks in my usual fashion. I lost my pliers in the video, let me know if you found them while watching.
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#Aleeknives
#Tongs
#MakingTongs

[@Aleeknives]

Tell me if you found my pliers that I lost in the video! I still haven't found them!

[@blacksmithrings]

I went through the whole video in 5 second increments, never saw it, the last it is seen is by your garage, 17:28 in the video

[@blacksmithrings]

also, you set it down next to you anvil a few seconds later, also looking forward to your dagger in the the makers challenge, you should make a video on it, I am showing my dagger on my channel at kzbin.info/door/ngsw0fa9Ur2yYrQ-E2CTaQ any tips?

[@Aleeknives]

3 days later and I still haven't found them!

[@conceptchannel1112]

@@Aleeknives Did you put them back, on the Flux capacitor panel ??

[@Aleeknives]

Right

[@chadcook7466]

I love your content. You’re a great teacher. Thanks. Would like to see you make more tongs for knives as well as knives

[@chrisretzer2693]

Build all the tongs I learn so much from watching you work you show all the details that nobody else shows

[@Aleeknives]

Thanks Chris!

[@TyroneDamShewlaces]

Especially useful for guys new to blacksmithing. When I saw blacksmith's shops in the past, I always thought they were tong hoarders because they had so many tongs. I now realize that you need a tong to match every size and shape of metal you're heating up. Making tongs from scratch bar stock is good practice, but it also takes a very long time for a new guy to make a decent tong that way too, so kind of double handicapped until he gets good at it. My shop motto is temporarily "Need more tongs!". I'm new to it and the tongs I've made from those kind of blanks work pretty well and I've used them a lot. As I get better at it, I've been spending more time refining the reigns and everything else too and they are even nicer in the end, but the early ones are still just as functional. So you can spend as much time as you want on the blanks to end up with whatever fills the need. Thanks for the tong video! I kinda feel that just like you can't have enough tongs, you can't have enough videos on how to make them either, ha.

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you! I definitely needed a new set so documenting the process was a no brainer

[@Aleeknives]

Glad you enjoyed the the video! Cheers

[@idwolverine1867]

Just cured my first forge today (Mr Volcano Hero). I’ll be needing a pair of tongs. Perfect timing for this video! 👍

[@Aleeknives]

Excellent! Cheers

[@jhdaniels1]

Thank you for the tutorial on making tongs. I am curious how to make the “V” grove tongs as well.

[@Aleeknives]

You are welcome! Cheers

[@danwerkman]

Wow... That does make life much easier... Wish the postage was not so expensive to were I live as US10 is well worth the time and efforts .. really cool video

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you Dan!

[@sudo_nym]

Need a tool - make the tool 😉 Good job, dude 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻

[@Aleeknives]

100% this is the way

[@waynebast4009]

Just getting started forging and bought a bunch of stuff from Ken. Need to finish my forge and get started. Your video is a great help. Even got a better idea from your forge on the brick door. Thanks man.

[@Aleeknives]

Super glad it could help!

[@bobbyc2538]

I was just about to buy some pliers but thanks to you I will be able to do my first forging project, this video makes it more accessible. Thank you Alee, you are as good as always.

[@Aleeknives]

Awesome Bobby! Have fun with it!

[@clitt4730]

I have these tongs, haven't made them yet because I don't have a forge. Still using fire bricks and a wheat burner to heat treat.

[@Aleeknives]

Stepping stones my friend!

[@booger6986]

Really enjoy your videos. I am just starting out, at 53 yo. You explain so well.

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you! I am glad you enjoyed it

[@chadcook7466]

I love your energy and enthusiasm. Keep up the great content. I would like to see you make more tongs for knife making and knives.

[@Aleeknives]

Will do !

[@daveintheshed4870]

I bought the set, still haven't gotten the courage to give it a go. Thanks for the video.

[@erikcourtney1834]

I’ve bought a few of his blanks and decided to use them as templates to cut myself more blanks with a torch and then with a plasma cutter…. Well it’s definitely better to just order the blanks lol. I been a welder fabricator for 18 years so I can cut pretty good. But it’s just not worth the time without a cnc machine. I also like my professional made tongs but kens tongs are a great option, expecially for beginners.

[@Aleeknives]

Agreed!

[@fandommennis1348]

Great video. Please make some more videos on making the other types of tongs. Looking to buy the whole set from Ken's

[@Aleeknives]

Will do!

[@kellyjoyce2399]

Oh yeah! Make more tongs, you have great teaching style.

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you

[@larrycherrington7338]

I'm not interested in knives and swords but I would like to see more tong videos Thanks

[@Aleeknives]

Awesome Larry! Will do

[@kevlyn1963]

Very cool, love your work, learned heaps.

[@Aleeknives]

Awesome Kevin! Cheers

[@ronbooth5329]

A very good demo. Thank you!

[@chrisgilbert3305]

Awesome as always

[@Aleeknives]

Thanks Chris!

[@redwolfknives3174]

Great video! I love your patience with process. You’re easier to follow than a lot of videos I’ve watched. That’d be awesome if you make videos on the other sets of tongs. Thank you for the class

[@Aleeknives]

Absolutely! Thanks for the feedback!

[@NathanNostaw]

After making 2 large pairs from scratch using bar stock, this design is a great shortcut. Be good to have a bunch of these blanks ready when needed.

[@Aleeknives]

That what I did! I bought all mine at the same time 8 or 9 years ago

[@andyc750]

another great how to video that explains how and why to do things, tongs is something I have yet to make as still using locking pliers lol, need to make some and this video will be my point of reference, again thanks for doing this

[@Aleeknives]

Thanks Andy!

[@bobgore1962]

Awesome video, Airin!!! I have been to Ken's shop for his "Blacksmithing for Veterans" event, and I purchased one of his tong packages. They are absolutely the way to go for do-it-yourself tongs! I watch all of your videos, and I would definitely love to see more videos like this one! You are so good at explaining the 'How to's', and the 'safety tips' as well! (That steam tip was excellent!) Thanks for sharing my brother! ....Bob Gore from Minnesota! 😎👍🏻🔨🔥🗡️

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you Bob it is great to know people are enjoying the content even with the safety bits sprinkled in. I burned myself really bad in a kitchen once with a wet rag

[@Stillpoint23]

As my heat treating oven project should be finished next weekend, I'll be building a coal fired forge next. My first project slated for the forge is tongs, and I'm liking this option, that is buying blanks to start from. Then, once the tongs are made, I may try to tackle the X-Rhea knife as a first forged knife project. I did procure a 13" piece of railroad track today to make into an "anvil", exciting stuff my friend :)

[@Aleeknives]

Love that knife! Just make sure you have fun! In the end that's all that really matters!

[@Stillpoint23]

@@Aleeknives yup! I'm sure I'll mess up, and make plenty of mistakes, but that's the learning process:)

[@Aleeknives]

💯

[@larryohara6513]

That was one of the most informative forging videos I have seen. I thank you. Do more!

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you Larry!

[@Bootsbladesbullets]

Thanks for the great work on this video. I just ordered the material from Ken and can't wait to make some flat tongs. I love the idea of making my own tools for knife making.

[@Aleeknives]

100% John! I love it to

[@ryanrobert9202]

Love your content, this was a great video. I've been specking out what I need to purchase start knife making and was just looking at the cost of buying tongs, had never even occurred to me to look for blanks and make them. Would love to see you make the other styles as well

[@Aleeknives]

I will Ryan! Thanks for watching

[@user-is4nf9tv2y]

Yes I would like more on the tongue making

[@ryanblystone5153]

Thank you

[@Aleeknives]

Welcome sir

[@NMiller_]

I had never heard that before about the wet gloves, thank you very much!

[@Aleeknives]

100% you are welcome

[@Anderson-HandForged]

i bought some from kens custom iron mine came out like crap lol yours look amazing i need alot of pratice with a hammer and probly a class or 2 thanks arin Mark 👍👍

[@Aleeknives]

I am sure you gained experience!

[@emeryjoiner1216]

Yes I need to see how to make them

[@kestersmith3400]

Your content as always is helpful and informative. Great safety tips along the way. More of the how to’s are great. Please do more tong videos

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you and I plan to do more videos!

[@dereksmith9300]

I would like to see how you make the other tongs. Thank you for your time and effort.

[@andrejohnson6731]

Thank you! Let’s see some more tong forging! 😎

[@Aleeknives]

Awesome!

[@billwindham214]

Every time he says the word “tong” or “tongs”, you have to take a drink. To make it even better, hold the drink with you tongs. Love your content.

[@Aleeknives]

😂🤣😂 I also say ok guys almost every time I start to film!

[@derrickrepko1670]

Great video! Definitely would like to see more blacksmithing!

[@Aleeknives]

Will do!

[@EdwardIglesias]

Great video. I would love to see one on tuning up old pliers. I have a few sets I've picked up at flea markets that work okay but are slightly out of alignment etc. This makes me think it wouldn't be too hard to fix them up.

[@Aleeknives]

They fix up super easy actually, heat them up and bend them where you need them! I will do a video as soon as I have some that need adjustments

[@mking3219]

That's cool man thanks

[@Aleeknives]

You are welcome! Cheers

[@grahamharris4444]

More please

[@user-oh8cr7ji9v]

Awesome video thanks for sharing it !!!

[@BamaDanKnives]

Thx never seen the blanks! Could you make the other tongs off set?

[@Aleeknives]

Sure could!

[@ericmoore2236]

Please make the other sets Thank You 👍

[@brettthompson5919]

Yes, please make some more tongs!

[@Aleeknives]

Will do Brett!

[@grahamharris4444]

More. Please

[@abaytago7424]

Nice content idol From Philippines

[@dmitryk754]

Thank you for this detailed video

[@Aleeknives]

Welcome!

[@stephenjohnson6841]

Great idea and video! I personally would fund it interesting to see how the other are forged. Thanks for sharing!

[@Aleeknives]

Your welcome Stephen!

[@Aleeknives]

I will forge the other ones in a future video for you

[@woodwoman9130]

Fun project….

[@krissteel4074]

Cool job mate, they look really good

[@Aleeknives]

Thank you Kris!

[@davidwilliams4901]

You might show the different types of tongues and explain their uses

[@BubuH-cq6km]

yes please do more tool making videos

[@Aleeknives]

Will do!

[@dannyvaughn4909]

More videos please!

[@richardbranton2780]

I should do this today. This is the first time I've been home in 6 weeks and my steel didn't come in 😤🤬🤬😱🤮. Now I have nothing to work with this weekend

[@Aleeknives]

Perfect in-between project!

[@laterinlife8755]

I just order 3 different ones from Ken’s Iron!

[@Aleeknives]

Your going to love them!

[@waynebast4009]

Where ever your rivet went thats where the pliers are:) Or maybe out side after you opened the door.

[@Aleeknives]

4 days later now, clean the shop and still haven't found them

[@jeffryrichardson3537]

Man I love the video. It is amazing to see an old type of craft being brought back to life. I am in the process of ordering me a forge. This video was very helpful in getting me started forging and my knife making. I enjoy the time you take and and explain in some detail every step of the process. Yes I would love to see more video on the the other types of tongues used in blacksmithing. Man keep up the awesome work dude. Also where can I get those tongue blanks? I would really love to get a complete set of them for my own making and using. Thanks again. Keep up the awesome work. Jerry from Georgia.

[@Aleeknives]

Glad you enjoyed it! Those are from Ken's custom iron!

[@jeffryrichardson3537]

@@Aleeknives awesome thank you so much man definitely getting me a set of those tongs.

[@mikehayes2233]

Great Video Friend!! I had just ordered the same Railroad Spike Tong Set from Ken’s the same as shown at about 3 mins of this video!! Have not worked on them yet but I have been under the weather for about 3 months. But spring is quickly approaching. I will be removing the cardboard cover for my NEW HB anvil real soon I PROMISE!! Thanks for this video. You have a new sub. An OLD grandpa from Casey ILLINOIS!! We live a few minutes away from the World’s Largest Golf Tee. It’s located on the grounds of the Casey Country Club. Google Earth will show you EXACTLY & CLEARLY where that tee is located. You can large shadow on the ground!! Originally the Tee weighed 3300 or 3800 pounds and is nearly as long as a semi trailer!! Seven miles to the east, you will find the World’s Largest Horseshoe AND the World’s Largest Anvil!! Check-out those things when you get time!! Thanks Again & see ya soon!!

[@willardjames2685]

How do you sell your work? I have looked on your Etsy and see that you have never made a sale, but you make knives all the time. Where do you sell your blades?

[@Aleeknives]

Most are sold before I even finish them. Several people follow my work here in town. I also have a glass case at a local outdoor store

[@vincegannonjr1232]

im just curious why at 22.36 you advise twisting each reign the opposite of each other. i dont believe kens custom advises that process. in your video you did lock one in the vice 180 degree from the other but used a counter clockwise twist on both. hence both were twisted the same.

[@Aleeknives]

The tong reigns are off set so in order for the jaws to line up one twists one direction and the other twists the other direction. When you hold the reigns it your hand looking at them before your twist the heads you can see where if you don't do it right they won't line up.

[@vincegannonjr1232]

@@Aleeknives i dont understand your logic. if you hold each tong side by side the twist is identical. i have watched ken do this and i ahve watched black bear forge do this. i made mine like they do. i think your instruction would confuse some people and lead them to believer on reign needs a clock wise twist and the other a counterclockwise. Both reigns twist in the same direction, not opposite. Dont you agree?

[@Aleeknives]

I see what your saying🤔

[@vincegannonjr1232]

@@Aleeknives with all that being said i have learned alot from your videos. keep them coming. Thanks

[@Aleeknives]

Cheers! Thanks Vince!

[@kellyjoyce2399]

On average , how long does your propane tank last? I'm assuming it's a 20lb tank.

[@Aleeknives]

A couple of forgings and heat treats

[@kellyjoyce2399]

Thanks, good to know.

[@vincentcocuzza8679]

Hey Aaron are those the quick flat jaw tong blanks on their website? $10.50 price? Just curious because I wanna make a pair but want to get the blanks you make in this video! Great video again and again and I keep learning more and more so thank you!!!

[@Aleeknives]

Those are the ones!

[@vincentcocuzza8679]

@@Aleeknives awesome thank you for such a fast response! I just put a order in!!

[@vincentcocuzza8679]

Hey Aaron again thanks for all the responses to my questions! I have one more simple question and probably easy for me to find the answer online but I figured I’d ask a actual knife maker. Where can I find a good but affordable anvil for me being a beginner? Or what can I use as a replacement of an anvil? Thanks again!

[@Aleeknives]

I would look on Craigslist locally for a good vintage anvil

[@robertcalzadillas8224]

Do it

[@smeedatelierwijtvliet576]

‘Saving some money’ well are you really? If you add everything, think you’ve spend more. However, how much do you value experience.

[@Aleeknives]

Experience for sure

[@smeedatelierwijtvliet576]

@@Aleeknives tbh I would agree

[@clitt4730]

I have these tongs, haven't made them yet because I don't have a forge. Still using fire bricks and a wheat burner to heat treat.