Most jewellers rely on the same few tools every time they sit down to work, but the difference between tools becomes clear very quickly.
- Poorly finished jaws can mark your material
- Uncomfortable grips can make longer sessions harder than they need to be
- Inconsistent cutters can leave more finishing work behind
That’s why choosing the right tools isn’t just about the type, it’s about how they perform in everyday use.
The Bench Essentials by Cooksongold range has been developed with this in mind. Designed for beginners and students, but built to support real bench work, these tools focus on reliability, control and consistency, without overcomplicating your setup.
The 6 Pliers That Support Everyday Bench Work
Flat Nose Pliers (130mm)
Flat nose pliers are one of the most-used tools at the bench especially when you need strength, stability and control.
Their wide, flat jaws are designed to grip material securely, making them ideal for tasks where precision is needed.
Typical uses:
- Holding and shaping flat components
- Forming clean, right-angle bends in wire
- Opening and closing jump rings with control
Why they’re useful:
The flat jaws apply even pressure across the surface of the material, helping maintain clean, straight lines without twisting the wire, particularly important when accuracy matters across repeated components.
What makes these different:
The smooth jaw finish helps reduce the risk of marking your material, while the balanced grip gives you more control during repeated tasks. This makes them especially reliable when consistency matters, whether you’re working through multiple components or refining a single design.
Chain Nose Pliers (130mm)
Chain nose pliers offer precision when working on designs. Their tapered jaws narrow towards the tip, allowing for more accurate handling in tighter or more detailed areas.
Typical uses:
- Forming neat wire angles and components
- Working with smaller jump rings
- Accessing intricate or hard-to-reach areas
Why they’re useful:
The slim profile and pointed tips give you greater control when working on finer details, helping you position and adjust components more accurately.
What makes these different:
The refined jaw alignment supports more precise gripping, helping reduce slipping when working with smaller components. This added control is particularly useful when accuracy matters during assembly and finishing.
Round Nose Pliers (130mm)
Round nose pliers are essential when shaping wire into loops, curves and decorative forms.
Their smooth, rounded jaws allow you to form shapes without flattening or damaging the material.
Typical uses:
- Making loops for head pins and eye pins
- Creating coils and consistent curves
- Adding decorative wire elements
Why they’re useful:
The tapered jaws allow you to control loop size and shape, making it easier to achieve consistent results across multiple components.
What makes these different:
The smooth surface helps reduce marking on wire, while the gradual taper supports more controlled shaping. This makes it easier to repeat loop sizes and maintain a consistent finish across your work.
Half Round Pliers (130mm)
Half round pliers combine two functions in one tool, one flat jaw and one rounded. This makes them a versatile option when switching between gripping and shaping tasks.
Typical uses:
- Forming curves in wire or sheet
- Shaping rings and bangles
- Tasks that require both support and shaping
Why they’re useful:
Having both surfaces in one tool reduces the need to switch between pliers, helping keep your workflow efficient and uninterrupted.
What makes these different:
The combination of jaw profiles allows for smoother transitions between tasks, while maintaining control during shaping. This is particularly useful when working on pieces that require both structure and form.
Bent Nose Pliers (130mm)
Bent nose pliers are designed to improve access and visibility when working in tighter or more complex areas. The angled jaws allow you to reach into spaces that straight pliers can’t access as easily.
Typical uses:
- Reaching into compact or recessed areas
- Holding components without blocking your view
- Making careful, controlled adjustments
Why they’re useful:
The angled design allows for a more natural working position, helping improve both accuracy and comfort during detailed work.
What makes these different:
The angled jaws give you better visibility of your work while maintaining control of the component, helping reduce awkward positioning and improving precision during intricate tasks.
Our Bench Essential Cutters
Flush Side Cutters (115mm & 130mm)
Clean, precise cuts can make a noticeable difference to how efficiently you work at the bench, especially when it comes to reducing finishing time.
Our Bench Essentials flush side cutters are designed to cut wire close to the surface, helping you achieve a neater result straight from the tool.
Typical uses:
- Trimming wire and jump rings
- Cutting head pins and eye pins cleanly
- Reducing sharp or uneven ends
Why they’re useful:
A true flush cut helps minimise sharp edges and uneven ends, meaning less time spent filing and refining.
What makes these different:
Designed for consistent cutting performance, these cutters help deliver reliable, clean results across different wire gauges. The 115mm size offers control for finer, detailed work, while the 130mm cutters provide added leverage when needed — giving you flexibility without compromising on accuracy or finish.
Do You Need All of These Straight Away?
Not necessarily.
If you’re starting out, flat nose, chain nose and round nose pliers will cover most core techniques — gripping, shaping and forming loops.
As your skills develop, tools like bent nose and half round pliers can help improve efficiency and give you more flexibility when working on detailed designs.
A Reliable Foundation for Your Toolkit
Building your toolkit isn’t about having more tools, it’s about having the right ones. Tools that feel comfortable in use, perform consistently and support the way you work at the bench.
Our Bench Essentials by Cooksongold range is designed to give you that foundation, a set of dependable tools that help you work with control, accuracy and confidence every time you make jewellery.
To find out more or to see everything in the range, visit cooksongold.com/bench-essentials
Harvey Wedgbury