Lindstrom or Swanstrom Pliers
Question:
Dale, I've read your posts and articles about tools and have a question. I noticed you recommend the Swanstrom brand of pliers and am wondering what the difference and benefits are as opposed to Lindstrom. My husband bought me an entire set of Lindstrom pliers for Christmas one year and I love them. Are Swanstrom pliers better quality/comfort-wise than Lindstrom?
-Traci in Palmer, Alaska
Dale, I've read your posts and articles about tools and have a question. I noticed you recommend the Swanstrom brand of pliers and am wondering what the difference and benefits are as opposed to Lindstrom. My husband bought me an entire set of Lindstrom pliers for Christmas one year and I love them. Are Swanstrom pliers better quality/comfort-wise than Lindstrom?
-Traci in Palmer, Alaska
Instructions
Answer:
Hi Traci,
Tools are truly a matter of personal preference it depends on the type of wire jewelry you want to make.
Many artists who work primarily with round wire (in a variety of gauges) prefer Lindstrom tools.
However, when switching to square or half-round wire, many of those same artists find Swanstrom tools more effective and end up using both brands.
They stick with Lindstrom for round wire but appreciate Swanstrom's performance with square wire designs.
Here's why flat nose pliers matter:
When you regularly work with square and half-round wire, you need a high-quality, perfectly flat pair of flat nose pliers.
The jaws must be very smooth, flat, and square
The jaw should gradually taper from about 1mm to 3mm toward the handle
The tip width should not exceed 3mm
This design is essential when forming a hook at the end of wrap wire to begin a wrap over a bundle.
Why this matters:
The hook must match the bundle's width closely so it doesn't slip while wrapping.
When bending wrap wire over flat nose pliers, the wire should come out perfectly straight, with no curve this helps keep your wraps tight and prevents shifting during or after the project.
Compare the two brands side-by-side:
Swanstrom flat nose pliers are perfectly square, smooth, and flat
Lindstrom pliers have a duckbill shape with a slight divot at the side, which may not give the same control for square wire work
For square wire wrapping, Swanstrom wins on precision.
Hope that helps!
Hi Traci,
Tools are truly a matter of personal preference it depends on the type of wire jewelry you want to make.
Many artists who work primarily with round wire (in a variety of gauges) prefer Lindstrom tools.
However, when switching to square or half-round wire, many of those same artists find Swanstrom tools more effective and end up using both brands.
They stick with Lindstrom for round wire but appreciate Swanstrom's performance with square wire designs.
Here's why flat nose pliers matter:
When you regularly work with square and half-round wire, you need a high-quality, perfectly flat pair of flat nose pliers.
The jaws must be very smooth, flat, and square
The jaw should gradually taper from about 1mm to 3mm toward the handle
The tip width should not exceed 3mm
This design is essential when forming a hook at the end of wrap wire to begin a wrap over a bundle.
Why this matters:
The hook must match the bundle's width closely so it doesn't slip while wrapping.
When bending wrap wire over flat nose pliers, the wire should come out perfectly straight, with no curve this helps keep your wraps tight and prevents shifting during or after the project.
Compare the two brands side-by-side:
Swanstrom flat nose pliers are perfectly square, smooth, and flat
Lindstrom pliers have a duckbill shape with a slight divot at the side, which may not give the same control for square wire work
For square wire wrapping, Swanstrom wins on precision.
Hope that helps!
Although both brands of tools are on the pricier side, I firmly believe that owning at least one high-quality pair of flat nose pliers is essential especially for traditional wire jewelry techniques using square and half-round wire.
As a wire jewelry instructor for over 16 years, I've seen countless students struggle simply because they were using the wrong tool for the job.
It's not about price it's about performance.
I've loaned out what I consider a good-quality tool to those students, and the difference in their results was immediate and impressive.
The right tool can completely change your experience.
Get smarter responses, upload files and images, and more.
As a wire jewelry instructor for over 16 years, I've seen countless students struggle simply because they were using the wrong tool for the job.
It's not about price it's about performance.
I've loaned out what I consider a good-quality tool to those students, and the difference in their results was immediate and impressive.
The right tool can completely change your experience.
Get smarter responses, upload files and images, and more.
(Here are Dale's frequently-used flat nose pliers. The Swanstrom pair is in the middle.)
As you can see in the photo, I personally use a LOT of different pliers, including 5 different flat nose styles.
Traci, I do appreciate your question and I guess my summary would be to use whichever brand that suits you, for the specific job at hand!
How about my fellow wire jewelry artists? Will you share your favorite tool with us, and why it's your favorite? (This could be fun-Thanks!!)
Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong
Traci, I do appreciate your question and I guess my summary would be to use whichever brand that suits you, for the specific job at hand!
How about my fellow wire jewelry artists? Will you share your favorite tool with us, and why it's your favorite? (This could be fun-Thanks!!)
Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong
Materials
No materials listed
Tools
Swanstrom Flat Nose Plier - Pack of 1
G2-500
- G2-500
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $43.95
- Gold Club Price: $32.96
Lindstrom EX Series Flat Nose Pliers
G2-7490EX
- G2-7490EX
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $69.97
- Gold Club Price: $52.48
Lindstrom RX Ergonomic Flat Nose Pliers
G2-7490RX
- G2-7490RX
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $66.16
- Gold Club Price: $49.62
Lindstrom Supreme Flat Nose Pliers
G2-7490
- G2-7490
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $49.95
- Gold Club Price: $37.46
Classic Wubbers Narrow Flat Nose Pliers
G2-1236
- G2-1236
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $27.95
- Gold Club Price: $20.96
Classic Wubbers Medium Flat Nose Pliers
G2-1237
- G2-1237
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $27.97
- Gold Club Price: $20.98
Classic Wubbers Wide Flat Nose Pliers
G2-1238
- G2-1238
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $27.95
- Gold Club Price: $20.96
Flat Nose Wire Pliers
G2-506
- G2-506
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $32.95
- Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Dale Armstrong
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