Staleks Pro Expert 40 Tweezers TE-40/2

A 70-degree bend and a short 8.4 mm tip for building fans off the tape. Staleks calls it suitable for beginners, and the contact patch is the reason why.

Three to four millimetres of contact

Held parallel to the tape, the tips close under light pressure along three to four millimetres. That is the whole trick: enough contact to pick a fan up square, little enough that you feel where it is. A longer contact patch makes a fan easier to grab and harder to place, which is exactly backwards when you are learning.

What it will and will not do

• Will: classic sets, and volume from 2D to 4D formed off the tape.
• Will not: 6D and 8D. Staleks does not rate it that far, and the short tip is the limit. For those, take the TE-41/6 boot.

Specification

• L-shaped, 70 degrees. Working part 8.4 mm, opening 7 mm, overall length 125 mm.
• Manual sharpening; polished working surfaces that shed adhesive.
• Satin matte handles. All disinfection and sterilisation methods allowable. Two-year warranty.

Not to be confused with the Vilmy T-40/2

This shop also sells a Vilmy T-40/2. Different manufacturer, different tool, one letter apart in the part number. If you have been recommended a T-40/2 by a trainer, check which brand they meant before ordering.