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Snake Tongs
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by TheFifthDay on January 9, 2009
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Hey guys,
I have a question for you.
I am wanting to get some more herping tools and I found this snake tong on EBay.
(http://cgi.ebay.com/HERPER-TOOLS-REPTILE-SNAKE-TONGS-38_W0QQitemZ230306754783QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116)
It doesn't look like a bad deal to me, but what do you guys think?
Thanks,
Jon Short
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RE: Snake Tongs
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by Cro on January 9, 2009
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Jon, those look like a usable pair of tongs.
They are imports from China, and are not as strong as American made tongs, though.
If you do not overload them with too much weight, the probably will not bend. The wall thickness of the aluminum tube will be thinner than those made in our country. Also, if you break a jaw, it is likely that replacement parts will not be available.
The price even with shipping is less than Pilstrom or Midwest Tongs.
I have a shorter pair of tongs from that same company. I use them to take water bowls out of venomous snake cages. They work pretty well for that, but the action is not as smooth as Pilstrom or Midwest tongs.
Hope this helps.
Best Regards
John Z
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RE: Snake Tongs
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by KingCobraFan on January 10, 2009
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Jon, while I've never used another brand to compare them against, I've never had the slightest problem with Midwest's equipment. Absolutely first-rate, IMO.
Bill huseth
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RE: Snake Tongs
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by Cro on January 10, 2009
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I own all three types of snake tongs, in several sizes, ranging from 18 inches long to over 6 feet long. These have included the cheap Imported Tongs, Pillstrom Tongs, and Midwest Tongs.
Like others have said, you get what you pay for.
If you lift objects that are TOO HEAVY with the import tongs, they will bend. You also might break the jaw off, as the cast alluminum jaw is brittle.
If you lift objects that are TOO HEAVY with standard Midwest Tongs, they will also bend. I have seen several pairs of standard Midwest tongs that did that.
However, that DOES NOT MEAN that the standard Midwest Tongs are inferior, as they are very good tongs.
What it means is THAT THE PERSON USING THEM WAS TRYING TO LIFT OBJECTS THAT THEY WERE NOT DESIGNED FOR !
If you take a tong that was designed to lift a snake of a maximum weight of 15 LBS, and try to lift the side of a downed chicken coop that weights 100 + LBS, you will bend the tongs, or break the jaws ! DO NOT DO THAT. A tong is NOT a proper tin flipping, rock rolling, log tearing apart tool. And the large amount of leverage they create on the jaws means that they are NOT A CROWBAR !
A critter called a "FurMont Stump Ripper," or a "Midwest Professional Field Hook," or even a modified "potato rake," is the right tool for that job.
If you do not want to carry a set of tongs and a field hook herping, and you intend to lift objects that weigh more than the average snake, and if you intend to turn tin, and roll logs, and move rocks, then get a Midwest Tong with the Super Tube, or a standard Pillstrom Tong. I have never seen anyone bend the shaft of either of those tongs, even with heavy field use. Both are extremely strong tongs.
Both will cost more, but, you will own a tong that will last a lifetime of heavy field use.
A good example is the set of Pillstrom Tongs that were used in the Atlanta Zoo for many years, then later I used them for about 31 years in the field, then I shipped them to our friend Alex in Romania. And he is still using them today !
If you buy quality from the start, it will last a long time.
Best Regards
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RE: Snake Tongs
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by AquaHerp on January 11, 2009
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A critter called a "FurMont Stump Ripper," or a "Midwest Professional Field Hook,"
Jon is right on once again. Both of these are great field sticks. As well, both Furman and Dana at Midwest offer the items in a left or right-handed version. My stump ripper lives in my vehicle and is my herpin' tool of choice.
DH
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RE: Snake Tongs
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by TheFifthDay on January 11, 2009
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I'm not talking about something to flip and turn things. I already have a home-made feild hook that has a 60-70 pound weight load.
I am talking about something to handle/move snakes.
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RE: Snake Tongs
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by Cro on January 11, 2009
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Doug, a couple of years ago, we were taking part in a Gopher Tortiose survey in south central Georgia, and Dr. Bob and I both took our FurMont Stump Rippers from our cars.
One of the participants there noticed that, and points to us, and says to his teen-aged sons, "Look Boys, Old School Herpers." LOL.
I am afraid that a whole generation of herpers has grown up without ever using a standard snake hook, and much less, a Stump Ripper, because of the TV herping heros who were walking advertisements for the field use of a certain brand of tongs, LOL.
Isn't it great to know that us "Codgers" are also now considered "Old School Herpers" by the young whipper snappers out there !
Best Regards
John Z
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RE: Snake Tongs
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by AquaHerp on January 11, 2009
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Indeed...I have no issue being an "old schooler"...still not sure about the 'codger" thing...LOL
I fondly remember once going out herping with Dr. Sherman Minton, this was a couple of years before he passed, as we got started I figured I had better go slow and take it easy on the old man. I started chasing a lizard and when I looked up....he was gone! He returned a couple hours later with bags full of belly-crawlers. Never under estimate the seasoned herper...you might find yourself standing there alone looking a fool!
The stump rippers are also great for practicing your martial arts moves and cracking yourself in the head, full swing. At least you're in the forest where nobody can see it! LOL
DH
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