Tongs are the most safety-critical tool in a blacksmith's shop. The wrong tongs for the job mean a slipping workpiece at forge temperature — a fast way to get burned or ruin hours of work. The right tongs lock onto your stock so you can focus on the hammer, not on gripping. There are four jaw types worth knowing: V-Bit bolt for round and square bar stock, wolf jaw for curved and irregular shapes, Z-type for long knife blades that need clearance past the rivet joint, and flat jaw for thin plate. Most blacksmiths build a set of two or three jaw types over time. This guide covers what each jaw does, when you need it, and the best options at each price point.

V-Bit Bolt Tongs

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17 Inch V-Bit Bolt Blacksmith Tongs Wolf Jaw Assembled Knife Making Bladesmith Anvil Forge Tongs

Bladesmiths and blacksmiths who need a reliable grip on round and square stock

Best V-Bit bolt tongs for knife making and general forging

The V-Bit bolt jaw is the most versatile jaw design for knife making and general blacksmithing. The deep V groove locks onto round, square, and flat stock from 7/16" to 1" — covering railroad spikes, knife billets, and bar stock without switching tools. This 17" version hits the right balance between handle length and maneuverability in a forge. Forged steel construction with abrasion-resistant coating. A solid first tong for any beginner blacksmith building their first set.

Pros

  • Deep V groove locks onto multiple stock sizes
  • 17" length keeps hands safely away from the forge
  • Forged steel — not cast, which matters at forge temperatures

Cons

  • V-Bit is not ideal for horseshoes or irregular shapes
  • May need minor jaw adjustment out of the box
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Wolf Jaw Tongs

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Blacksmith Wolf Jaw Tongs 16 Inch (Caliburn)

Blacksmiths who work with curved or irregular stock that V-Bit jaws cannot grip

Best wolf jaw tongs for horseshoes, rings, and irregular shapes

Wolf jaw tongs have three contact points that grip curved, irregular, and shaped forgings that V-Bit jaws cannot hold securely — horseshoes, rings, scrollwork components, and odd-shaped billets. At 16" and 1.5 lbs, these are lightweight enough for extended sessions without fatigue. The wolf jaw profile is essential if you work beyond straight bar stock. Community reviewers consistently rate these as the most versatile single tong for non-blade work.

Pros

  • Three contact points — grips curved and irregular stock
  • 16" length with 1.5 lb weight reduces fatigue
  • Works on flat, square, and round stock as well

Cons

  • Not designed for long knife blades — use Z-type for those
  • Jaw gap may need adjustment for very small stock
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Z-Type Tongs

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BetterForge Offset Z-Type Blacksmith Tongs 17 Inch

Bladesmiths who forge long blades and need clearance past the rivet joint

Best Z-type tongs for knife blades and long flat stock

Z-type (offset) tongs solve a specific problem in knife making: the rivet joint of standard tongs gets in the way when you need to maneuver a long blade parallel to the anvil surface. The Z-offset jaw keeps the stock centered past the rivet, giving clear access to the full blade length. BetterForge's version uses forged steel construction at 17" — a trusted brand in the blacksmithing community. Community reviews highlight how well these hold on long sword and knife work compared to standard V-Bit tongs.

Pros

  • Offset jaw gives full blade length access
  • Forged steel — built for forge temperatures
  • Compatible with flat, square, round, and hex stock

Cons

  • Specialized design — less versatile than V-Bit for general work
  • Jaw opening may need adjustment for thicker stock
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Tong Set

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VEVOR Blacksmith Tongs 4 PCS V-Bit Bolt Wolf Jaw Z V-Bit and Gripping A3 Carbon Steel 18 Inch

Beginners who want to cover all common forging situations in one purchase

Best complete tongs set for beginners building a full shop

VEVOR's 4-piece set covers the four most common jaw types in one box: V-Bit for bolts and bar stock, Wolf for horseshoes and rings, Z V-Bit for long blades, and gripping tongs for delicate work that can't be marked. A3 carbon steel rivets and carbon steel bodies hold up in high-temperature environments. At 18" with ergonomic handle curves and ball-end tips to prevent slipping, these are a well-considered kit for a beginner who doesn't want to source individual tong types. Community reviews note minor jaw adjustment is common but expected.

Pros

  • 4 jaw types cover virtually all forging scenarios
  • 18" extended handle for forge safety
  • A3 steel rivets rated for high-temperature environments

Cons

  • Heavier than individual single-purpose tongs
  • Some jaw adjustment typically needed out of the box
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BetterForge Blacksmith Tongs Set Starter Kit Wolf Jaw Plus V-Bit Tongs

Beginners who want the two most essential jaw types without buying a full 4-piece set

Best 2-tong starter kit for new blacksmiths

BetterForge's starter kit pairs an 18" V-Bit bolt tong with a 16" Wolf Jaw — the two jaw types that cover the vast majority of beginner blacksmithing tasks. V-Bit handles knives, spikes, and bar stock; Wolf Jaw handles horseshoes, rings, and shaped forgings. Buying a curated two-tong kit from a single trusted brand avoids the quality variation of sourcing individual tongs from different manufacturers. BetterForge has a strong reputation in the beginner blacksmith community for consistent quality at a reasonable price point.

Pros

  • Two most essential jaw types in one purchase
  • Trusted brand with consistent quality control
  • Matched set — both tongs are properly sized together

Cons

  • Only 2 jaw types — will need Z-type for serious blade work later
  • Higher price per tong than buying a 4-piece set
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Simond Store Blacksmith Tongs 16 Inch Set of 4 Wolf Flat Round and Mandrel Jaw

Blacksmiths focused on traditional ironwork, scrolls, and general metalwork rather than knife making

Best 4-tong set for traditional blacksmithing (non-knife focus)

Simond Store's 4-piece set covers Wolf, Flat, Round, and Mandrel jaw types — the four shapes used most in traditional decorative blacksmithing and general forge work, where you're working with hooks, scrolls, and ornamental pieces rather than knife blades. All four tongs are 16" in forged spring steel (5160 grade), providing better heat resistance than cast alternatives. The Mandrel jaw is not found in most beginner sets but is essential for working with round and tapered stock. A comprehensive set for the blacksmith whose focus is beyond bladesmithing.

Pros

  • Mandrel jaw included — not found in most budget sets
  • Spring steel (grade 5160) construction
  • Four jaw types cover traditional ironwork scenarios

Cons

  • No Z-type for long blade work
  • 16" length slightly shorter than some prefer
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Buying Guide

Tongs are sized by both jaw type and handle length. Getting either wrong creates problems. Jaw type determines what stock you can hold. V-Bit bolt jaws have a deep V groove that locks onto round, square, and hexagonal bar stock from about 7/16" to 1" — the range covering most knife billets, railroad spikes, and general bar work. Wolf jaw tongs have three contact points that grip curved, irregular, and shaped forgings that a V-Bit jaw would slip off — horseshoes, rings, scrollwork, and odd-shaped stock. Z-type (offset) tongs solve a specific knife-making problem: the rivet joint of standard tongs blocks access to the full blade length when maneuvering a long piece parallel to the anvil. The Z-offset jaw keeps the stock centered past the rivet. Flat jaw tongs are for thin plate and flat bar that would roll in a V-Bit jaw. Handle length affects safety and control. 16" to 18" is the standard range for most forge work. Too short and your hand gets uncomfortably close to the forge opening; too long and the tongs become awkward to maneuver. 17" is the most common all-around size. Forged versus cast construction matters at forge temperatures. Forged steel tongs are made from round stock that is shaped under a hammer or press, which aligns the grain structure of the metal for strength. Cast tongs are poured into a mold, which creates a weaker and more brittle structure. For tools that will be used around 2,000°F metal and absorbing hammer vibration, forged is the correct choice. Most tongs in the $20 to $50 range are forged from steel round stock. New tongs often need minor jaw adjustment before first use. Heat the rivet area to a dull red and adjust the jaw gap to match your most common stock size. This is normal and expected — tongs are adjusted to the individual smith's stock, not sold ready to use out of the box.

Frequently Asked Questions

What tongs should a beginner blacksmith buy first?

A V-Bit bolt tong in 17" is the standard first purchase. It grips round, square, and flat stock across the most common sizes used in beginner projects — knife billets, railroad spikes, and square bar. If you're also doing horseshoe or decorative scrollwork, add a wolf jaw second. Most beginners only need two jaw types for the first year.

Why do my new tongs feel loose or not grip well?

This is normal. New tongs are manufactured to a generic jaw gap, not tuned to specific stock. Heat the rivet area to a dull red in the forge, then adjust the jaw gap by tapping the reins together or apart on the anvil to match the diameter of your most common stock. Once adjusted, the tongs should grip securely without slipping.

Can I use V-Bit bolt tongs for knife making?

Yes — V-Bit bolt tongs are the most common knife-making tong because they grip billets and bar stock securely. For long blades over about 10", consider adding Z-type tongs as well, since the Z-offset jaw allows better blade manipulation past the rivet joint when drawing out a full-length blade.

What is the difference between forged and cast tongs?

Forged tongs are shaped from steel round stock under mechanical force, which aligns the grain structure of the metal and produces a strong, tough tool. Cast tongs are poured into a mold, which creates a weaker and more brittle structure unsuitable for high-temperature forge work. Always buy forged tongs — most tongs labeled as such on Amazon in the $20 to $60 range are forged from quality steel.

How many pairs of tongs do I need?

Most blacksmiths work comfortably with two to four pairs: a V-Bit bolt tong for general bar work, a wolf jaw for irregular shapes, and a Z-type or flat jaw if you do consistent blade work or flat plate work. Buying a 4-piece set upfront is more economical than buying individual tongs one at a time if you know you'll need multiple jaw types.