We offer three different lines of pliers and this page contains all the information you need to decide which line best fits your current needs. Two of the lines, Eurotool Blue and Eurotool Red, are economical but very good quality starter pliers. If you're choosing jewelers' pliers for the first time, we recommend choosing one of these two lines. If you've been making chain for awhile and you're ready to upgrade to really fine pliers, you can't do better than our Lindstrom Rx line. They're pricey, but they're worth it.

Eurotool Blue

The Eurotool Blue pliers we're carrying now are the exact same ergonomic design as the Beadsmiths we used to carry, but they're manufactured to a higher and more consistent standard of quality. This line of tools addresses ergonomics by way of firm but cushy handles. Visit our Tools page and click individual pairs of pliers for close ups and specifications.

The manufacturer says: "Our new line of pliers are excellent for those who desire quality at a modest price. Made of stainless steel with double-leaf springs, the handles feature a non-slip PVC for excellent comfort and control. Pliers have a brush finish, non-glare surface and box joint for years of service. Length 5" (130mm)."

If your hands are larger, though, you might find the next option still more comfortable.

EuroTool Red

Our Eurotool Red line addresses ergonomics through leverage. The handles are not cushy, but they're long and closer together when the tools are closed, which makes for exceptionally good leverage. The result is that you don't have to put much pressure on them so your hands don't get tired as quickly as they might otherwise. Visit our Tools page and click individual pairs of pliers for close ups and specifications.

The manufacturer says: "This new series of pliers offers the user true ergonomics at very reasonable pricing. They feature fine heads and well tapered jaws for fine or delicate work. Moreover, the handles are longer than normal but closer together when plier jaws are closed. This means less carpal tunnel stress and a more comfortable grip with less fatigue and better control. All have double leaf springs and cushion PVC grips. A real upgrade for beaders and wire artists."

Lindstrom Rx

The Lindstrom Rx Series combines cushiness with leverage for an amazingly comfortable experience. There are two brands of top of the line jewelers' pliers, Lindstrom and Swanstrom. I've never used Swanstrom, so I can't comment on them, but I *love* my Lindstroms. I use one pair of flatnose and one pair of bent chainnose for my chainwork. The bent chainnose have more surface area at the tips than the long or short chainnose and so provide a better grip on the rings. The angle makes it easier to close rings perfectly in those vexing tight spots and it allows a greater range of comfortable positions for chainweaving. It takes a little time to get used to using them and you'll probably slip off a few rings at first, but the comfort is worth the adjustment.

The Lindstrom roundnose pliers have the smallest tips of any roundnose pliers, which is great for making tiny loops on bead links. The long and short chainnose have very tiny tips, like rosary pliers only stronger, which makes them very nice for wrapping bead links and getting the end of the wire tucked in invisibly. The short chainnose are particularly fine for this purpose.

The ultra flush cutters are my third pair of Lindstrom cutters and by far the best. All Lindstrom cutters are good, but these make the most flush cut I've ever seen. (See photo below.) They're only rated up to 16g, but I use them on 14g half hard wire all the time and they cut it beautifully and more effortlessly than any other cutters I've tried.

We offer the Lindstroms at a price lower than I've ever seen them available before and a lot less than I paid for mine. We do it this way because, while we certainly have to cover our costs and the rather substantial investment required to stock such high end tools, we aren't trying to make a profit from them. We carry them because they're the best and we price them as low as we can in order to make the purchase as painless as possible for our customers. Because we price all our tools as low as we can, we have no wiggle room to offer discounts for quantity purchases. Visit our Tools page and click individual pairs of pliers for close ups and specifications.

The manufacturer says: "Lindstrom Rx series represents the very best in cutters and pliers. They exemplify state of the art handtool design, function and performance. Exclusive Micro-Touch handles makes possible complete hand control for precision work. Exclusive Biospring reduces spring tension during work which lessens fatigue and makes work easier and safer. Tension and opening width can be adjusted to suit by moving the end of the spring to the desired opening in the handle. Slightly rounded and wider profile of the Rx handle allows for even surface distribution and superior hand contact."

3 Beginning Weaves Kit with Pliers

You have a choice of tools when purchasing the Beginning Weaves Boxed Set. If you choose Eurotool Blue pliers, your kit will include one pair of Eurotool Blue flatnose pliers and one pair of Eurotool Blue chainnose pliers at no charge. If you choose Eurotool Red pliers, your kit will include one pair of Eurotool Red flatnose pliers and one pair of Eurotool Red chainnose pliers at no charge. If you want some other combination, such as two pair of flatnose pliers instead, or if you want to go straight to the Lindstroms, or if you have your own tools and don't need any more, choose No Pliers as your option. You'll be charged $10 less for your kit, but your kit will contain no pliers, whatsoever. You can then, of course, add to your order whatever combination of pliers you'd like from our tools page at the normal price.

On to the Tools page
Back to the 3 Beginning Weaves Kit

Cutters

There are no cutters that leave a completely smooth flush cut, like the cuts on our rings. Cutters cut with pressure and the pressure leaves an artifact in the form of a pinch of metal. Flush cutters leave a smaller pinch but there's still a pinch. Even the very best flush cutters only leave a good cut on one side. The other side is always a point.

Lindstrom makes the best cutters and the ultra flush cutters we carry are Lindstrom's best, most flush cutters. This extreme close up shows what you can expect from each of the cutters we currently offer.

This enlarged photo shows cuts made in 14g, half hard sterling wire.

Note: These cutters are meant for use only on precious metals and other soft wire. Beading wire will ruin them, as will steel and other hard metals.

Preparing New Pliers for Use

No matter what sort of pliers you purchase, they're likely to need a little smoothing before you use them so they don't scratch your shiny rings. Run a fingertip over the inside jaws and if you feel anything scratchy, even a little bit, use a file to smooth it out. If you don't have fine files meant for steel, an old nailfile will do the job. Don't get so enthusiastic when filing that you round off your corners or make the tool faces uneven, but don't be afraid to smooth the entire surface and gently round the edges.

New pliers will seep oil from the joint for a time, so be careful of your clothes at first. Just wipe off the oil when you notice it. If your new pliers are stiff, work the handles to distribute the oil throughout the joint. Tension is provided by leaf springs between the handles and it can be adjusted by gently bending them. Bend them toward the middle for more springiness; press them more closely to the handles for less springiness. (The Lindstroms adjust differently with a three position durable plastic biospring.)