pincett

Pincett is a small hand tool used to grip and manipulate tiny objects. In English, it is commonly called tweezers. The tool consists of two slender arms that meet at a pivot, so pressing the handles brings the tips together to hold an object with precision and control.

Construction and tips vary. Most pincett are made of stainless steel, though plastic variants exist for disposable or non-conductive tasks. Tips can be straight, curved, pointed, or blunt, and may be serrated or smooth. Some designs use tungsten carbide tips for greater durability and grip, especially in professional or precision work. The overall design emphasizes minimization of hand tremor and maximum control.

Applications are broad and cover many fields. Medical and cosmetic uses include hair removal, splinter extraction, and minor surgical tasks. In laboratories, pincett are used to handle delicate specimens or tiny components. In electronics and jewelry making, they enable placement of small parts with accuracy. They are also common in hobbies, crafts, and general household maintenance.

Variants and related tools. While pincett generally refers to manual tweezer-style devices, related instruments include forceps and various types of pliers, which may offer locking mechanisms, spring action, or specialized grip shapes for specific tasks.

History and terminology. The basic pinching principle is ancient, but modern pincett designs benefited from the adoption of stainless steel in the 20th century, which allowed durable, precise, and affordable tools. The term pincett is used in several European languages to name this common hand tool.