Hello....there seems to be a lot of different opinions that I'm finding on beading wire...I bought Beadalon and am now having second thoughts...I haven't opened it or used it yet, so maybe I can return it if you think I should.  It seems more people suggest Accuflex or Softflex so I was wondering what your opinions on this might be.  Thanks for any input on this.

Sandy 

When I learned to bead, my local bead store recommended the Beadalon 7-strand .015 thickness beading wire which I have been using for almost a year. For regular bead stringing it seams adequate except that it is very easy to get a kink in it and once it has a kink it stays that way.

I've used other brands as well. At this point I have decided that for most of my bead stringing to use Beadalon 19-strand .018 beading wire. It doesn't kink like the thinner wire. I can feel that it is heavier and more supporting than the thinner wire. If a wire can feel elegant in the hand, this one does. It's thick enough so that it works well with twisted crimps that I crimp flat. So far it works well with all of my beads. I just tried to go through my vintage rice pearls and it did go one way through them but would not go through them two times. That's OK with me; I'll just have to remember not to make pearls the last beads on a strand before crimps are added.

It will be interesting to find out what others are using.

The place I took beading classes recommended Beadalon (49 strand .018), which I have used since the day I began making jewelry.  I've never had a problem with it.  I have used the .21 and .024 when I make a piece with heavy lampwork beads.  I would not use anything less than .015.  Alice

When I took my class the girl told us to use Tiger Tail.  That broke way to easy.  I did move on to Beadalon which I liked and then tried Accu-Flex.  Both are good IMO.  I still use both brands and have no real preference.  I use both the .014 and .019, 7 strand.  I switch sizes for different weights of beads. 

I've never used anything but Beadalon, but I keep meaning to pick something else up just to give it a try since I've heard so many people rave about the Softflex.  I usually get the 19 or 49 strand .015 size. 

I have used Softflex, tidertail, and accuflex. 

I think for major work, where you have gemstones that are pricey or have very heavy beads, Softflex is the best quality.

But, I use accuflex and tifertail alot now.  Softflex is expensive!!!!  I find that tigertail .012 -7 starnd is perfect for beadweaving where I don't want to use fireline for fear of it breaking.  You can use it for something like a RAW with bigger beads...it isn't small enough to do something like a spiral.  The accuflex I use for most of my stringing.  I use .018, 49 strand, I think.

I've only used Beadalon and I think it's worked well for me. However, when the spools I have run out, I am going to spend the extra and get the 19- or 49-strand kind that I've played with at bead shops. It's more supple for sure...

I use SoftFlex. They have a "very fine" graded wire that is perfect for gemstones with tiny holes! It's expensive, but worth it for expensive stones.

 The class at Michaels I first took suggest Beadalon wire.They only had one type in stock when I went to get my class supplies.I even as a beginner thought it kinked up terribly and felt really rough to my fingers.I have since tried other Beadalon. My favorite is the .015 with the NYLON coating.I like the way it feels.I too love the SoftFlex, but I agree it's on the pricey side! lol

I am a Softflex devotee, usually 49 strands.  The .014 is great for smaller, lighter beads, the .019 for average and the .024 for heavy beads.  The Softtouch line has the best drape.  I feel the extra money is worth it when I am using more expensive beads.

Beadbiz

I use all three, but I seem to have the least trouble with AccuFlex. SoftFlex also works great. I do use Beadalon too, but have noticed that it does have a tendency to kink if your not careful with it.

I only use Soft Flex/Soft Touch.  I've had great luck with it.  My policy is "If it ain't broke, don't fix it", (LOL) so I haven't tried anything else for some time.

I use Beadalon and SoftFlex in various grades and strand numbers.  I have rolls of each in my supply chest.  I decide based on the type/quality/price of the beads/stones I'm using which wire I use.  In most jewelry instruction books there is a section in the "how to's" that tells which type of wire/flexibility/strand #s are best for what type of bead or stone, that helps to decide too.

It's just my opinion but for instance, as costly as SoftFlex is compared to Beadalon, I just can't bring myself to use it (SF) on a quicky multi-strand crimpled necklace made with a really inexpensive strand of glass beads that I throw together because someone says they need a pink and black necklace NOW but only have $15 to spend, you see what I mean?  I don't think that one is going to last any longer than the other if the finish work is done properly either.

SoftFlex I really truly believe is more flexible and a lot less likely to kink.  When I first started beading a WONDERFUL lady that owns a store in Whiteland, Indiana gave me so many tips and one day she asked me about my wire and I told her what I used, she pulled out a piece of SF and showed me right there that she could wrap the SF around her finger etc and it always sprung back, that sold me for using it for more high end pieces or when flexibility is a must.

I've never used TigerTail, have just heard too many bad opinions on it, and the AccuFlex from FMG looks like it would be fine too, I've just never tried it.

If you keep a close watch on your local hobby stores, they will have their beading wire on sale periodically for 50%.  If you don't have a HobbyLobby close to you, I think that you can get their sale prices online too.  That is when I stock up on Beadalon and SoftFlex.  I've compared and at 50% off, it's cheaper than I can order it online even with being able to buy at wholesale since I don't buy in massive quantities, it's still cheaper so I stock up on it.  Every once in a while you can find great deals on it too on Ebay in quantity.  Just make sure you are buying from a good seller and all that jazz and add the shipping in to make sure you aren't paying the same in the long run as you would at the store.  I did that a couple time... DUH.

I've not tried yet the colored wires from Beadalon but plan to get some and make some fun spring necklaces from it and try it out...

I have friends that swear by every type of wire... I will tell you one tip I learned the hard way, if you are going to use very fine beadalon, make sure you have a way of "controlling" the wire on the spool when you unroll it, it has a tendency to SPRING to life and I have literally had an entire spool of 100 in my lap unrolled.  LOL...

Hope I helped a little bit...

LAS

 SoftFlex/Softtouch 19 strand in an appropriate size diameter to the project.