Flat Nose Pliers With Ergonomic Grip – Beadsmith

Flat nose pliers have two flat jaws that grip wire and jewelry findings evenly. They are your trusty helper whenever something needs to be held, bent or closed – and together with round nose pliers and cutting pliers, they are among the pliers you'll use the most.

Wide or pointed nose?

Flat nose pliers with a wide nose give a large, firm grip and are good for sharp angles. Pointed flat nose pliers – also called chain nose pliers – have narrow jaws that taper to a point, so you can reach all the way in between beads and small links. If the pliers have a nylon coating, they protect the wire from marks and are good for straightening bent wire.

They are especially good for

• Opening and closing jump rings – ideally with one pair of pliers in each hand
• Bending sharp angles and pressing wire ends in when wire wrapping
• Holding small jewelry findings in place while you work

How to open a jump ring

Hold the jump ring with one pair of pliers on each side of the opening, and twist one end toward you and the other away from you. Never pull the ends apart – this makes the jump ring lose its round shape and it won't close neatly again.

When is another pair of pliers better?

If the wire needs to be shaped into round loops and curves, round nose pliers are the right choice – flat jaws create sharp angles, not round shapes. And if something needs to be cut, that's a job for cutting pliers.

In short: If you want to hold, bend and close with precision, flat nose pliers are the right choice. They make your connections neat and sturdy, so your jewelry lasts.