Tools & supplies

What to buy, and whom to trust

When you are just getting started it is really hard to find the right equipment. There are so many tools out there and most of them are expensive. I have been there: I bought tools I barely used and tried to go for the low budget ones, only to spend more in the end. Learn from my mistakes and get it right, straight away.

Forging silver at the Estona bench
what I recommend

My honest approach to spending

A small, well chosen set of tools will take you further than a drawer full of gadgets. Save up, so you can buy that one tool that you actually need. 

Buy once, buy well

For the tools you reach for every session and use intensively, quality pays for itself. Sometimes the branded one is the best choice. That doesn't mean you have to buy it new. Second hand marketplaces can be a great source too.

Modify, do not overspend

Plenty of expensive tools can be replaced with a cheaper version or a simple modification. You can make your tools work for you. I will show you several alterations in my videos.

What to skip

This might be just as important as what to buy. As a true tool junkie, I have a closet full of tools that have been used just one. Use my mistakes to your advantage. I will honestly share my experience with all tools.

step by step

No need to buy it all at once

I divided the beginners metalsmithing course into 3 parts: lessons 1-6, lessons 7-12 and lessons 13-18. You can choose to order the first tool package and work your way through the first six lessons, and only invest in another tool package if and when you're ready. That way you don't have to spend a lot of money at once. 

placing your order

 Order your materials and get started straight away

Buying tools in Europe

If you are from Europe, your place to go without a doubt is Herens & Herens. They are a family based business from the Netherlands and all employees are educated metalsmiths. 

  • How to orderTheir website is www.herens.nl. You can register as a student at Estona. Herens ships all over Europe. By the way, their site loads in Dutch, but you can toggle the language to English at the top of the page.
  • List of ToolsThey have made it easy for you. Herens has created a page on their site where you can find several tools I use in my videos including the three basic starter packages: CLICK HERE
  • Discount codeYou will receive a 5% discount on all of their tools with the code Estona5

Buying tools in the US

My go to place in the US is definitely Gesswein. Another family company, filled with people eager to help. I ordered here several times and have always been over the moon with their tools!

  • How to orderYou can visit Gesswein through www.gesswein.com and select 'jewelry'. Gesswein ships worldwide. 
  • List of ToolsThis is where you will find the list of tools I recommend: CLICK HERE. Next to these items, you can check out more tools I use by typing 'Estona' in the search bar on the Gesswein site. 
  • Discount codeIf you click on the link above, you will get access to the 5% discount code. This code is available in the US only.

Benches and rolling mills

I do want to add a third supplier here, which is Durston Tools. Durston is known for their benches and mills, but they do make a lot of other tools as well. Durston tools are high quality, heavy tools.

  • How to orderYou can visit Durston at www.durston.com. Durston is primarily based in the UK but they ship worldwide.
  • List of ToolsI don't have a list of tools to share, but I can tell you about the superior double jewelers bench. I am IN LOVE with it! you can't get a better one. So if you do want to treat your self big time, you know where to go.
  • Discount codeGo to www.durston.com/estona AND use the discount code estona10 to receive a 10% discount.