Inexperienced collectors may see someone using stamp tongs to handle their stamps and mistake them for tweezers. Stamp tongs are not the same thing as tweezers. Tweezers can damage stamps and should not be used for handling stamps.

Tweezers have sharp tips that are designed to grab hold of things like wooden splinters. They are like a tiny set of pliers.

Stamp tongs have soft, gentle tips. They are specifically designed for grasping stamps without damaging them.

Don’t cut costs by buying an inexpensive pair of tweezers. You risk damaging your stamps, making them worth much less than sound copies. Stamp tongs are inexpensive, usually costing a few dollars for a pair. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Find a set that is comfortable for you. Any business that sells stamp supplies should have stamp tongs in stock.