Supplies How many forceps?

I think no more than 4? unless if you're restringing multiple dolls at once-- or if your dolls have more than 4 appendages.

I think you might be able to get away with just 2 though.

 

You don't actually need any. Anything that won't fit through the hole in the doll will work just fine such as a pen or a chopstick. For most standard humanoid dolls you don't even need that. Typically the s-hook that holds the head on is enough for stringing from neck to legs and looping the arm elastic around the neck while you do the first arm works just fine.

If you do get them, be careful you don't let them slam against any part of the doll and chip it though. In that regard something made of softish plastic is a bit more forgiving.

Note I don't do the one giant double looped cord for both legs. Maybe something to hold the elastic is more helpful for that style but I really don't like it as getting and keeping the elastic even is just a hassle to me.

 

I don't own any forceps. I own some chopsticks and a piece of wire and those do the trick. If I scratch anything with the wire, it'll be inside the doll anyway.

 

I'd say three pairs.

The ones you're using,

The ones you use when you can't find the first pair

and

The ones you put "Somewhere Safe" and then can't find when the first two are missing.

I can never find any of mine when I need them, so end up using a crochet hook, a pen or whatever else comes to hand atr the time. Of course, the moment I no longer need them, they appear.

Teddy

 

@Teddy absolutely is correct i’ve started getting the cheapest pairs that can still work, so i hope my forceps stealing gremlins lose interest soon.

(imo 2-3 is fine, they do help me a lot vs chopstick method for my hands, but i made do for a while before actually buying any. up to you!)

 

i've used small weak silver climbing carabiner clips, 3 of them seem to be enough, as you'll probably be restring arms first, then body and legs after; which you only need for the neck and ankles. you can choose many different methods. i personally also use soft (faux) rat-tail string which is very safe to use inside the doll. i hope you find whichever method you feel most comfortable with.

 

While I have a pair, I find that a stringing tool is a whole lot more useful.
Most BJD suppliers have one but they tend to be more expensive.
This is a cheap one.... I made my own from a lightweight steel hangar.

Doll Stringing Tool - 12

 

The majority of my dolls are strung with the one loop for the arms through the torso and another bigger loop up from one foot up around the head hook and down the other leg. Given that, two forceps has been plenty since I usually only need to secure two ends of a loop at a time.

It's funny but most of my stringing tools are repurposed from other things. I have an old latch hook from a rug making kit and that has been really helpful at fishing out the elastics when they are just barely out of reach inside a torso piece and the crochet hook is just not working, my stringing tool is some old wire, and to keep the cut ends of the plastic from fraying I use a stick-type candle lighter.

 

I use long needle nose pliers, ribbon and large, thick paper clips.

The pliers to help pull things along, obviously. The ribbon is how I thread the elastic through limbs. And the paperclips, I bend out one end to keep it open and use those in place of S hooks to hold the elastic in place in the wrists and ankles while I prep the S hooks on the hands and feet. it's much easier for me that way and since the paperclips are long, I don't get nervious about the ends of small S hooks scratching the inner edges of the wrist or ankle joints.

 

I use 2 when restringing. Metal ones are best, and if it helps, they also go by the name "hemostats".

 

2 hemostats, 3 chopsticks, and some wire is all you need.
I use Super SoftStrand No.5 plastic coated picture wire to pull the elastic through. Wire and Cable Specialties, Inc. – Wire and Cable Specialties Inc

 

I've also never used forceps. My tools are super rudimentary-- I've never bought anything for restringing. I do the arms first, then two separate loops from neck to ankle. I use loops of yarn threaded through the end of my elastic loops to pull the elastic through, and I have an old super thin double-pointed knitting needle that i use to poke elastic down into/through the channels. If i need something to hold the ends through until I'm ready to put hands or feet on, i use the wooden handle of an old paintbrush. for the two loops that go through the torso and then one down each leg, i put both on the neck S hook and down into the torso at the same time; the S hook being up there is plenty to keep them from pulling all the way through while I finish stringing the legs.

 

I have several, but usually when I need to stop strings from slipping inside a doll I prefer a brush or chopstick. The rounded off soft wood is the best option to avoid any scratches, dents or other damages that can happen when using forceps.
And yes, it can happen fast that something slips or gets wedged.

I do love to use them though to grab strings that slipped inside. Since they hold on so tightly and have a rough surface they are great for grabbing and pulling things.

Also, it's usually better to do one thing at a time. So don't use four forceps to clip off all hands/feet at once. Do one arm first, attach the hand, then do the second. Same for the legs.