Seabell Mosaic Tools – Professional Mosaic Tools
Discover the Seabell collection : a range of mosaic pliers designed by mosaic artist Sibel Roni Hananel . The collection includes the Glass Cutters - Seabell Mosaic Tools , the MaxPro Compound Mosaic Pliers - Seabell Mosaic Tools , the Ceramic Scissors - Seabell Mosaic Tools , and the Straight Tile Pliers and Curved Tile Pliers - Seabell Mosaic Tools – complete with all replacement parts. Lightweight, ergonomic, and equipped with tungsten carbide cutting edges: ideal for mosaic makers seeking precision, comfort, and durability.
The Story Behind Seabell
Seabell is the work of Sibel Roni Hananel , a mosaic artist who develops tools based on her own years of experience at the workbench. Because she repeatedly encountered the same pain points in her practice—pliers that were too heavy, flying shards, worn blades with no replacement option—she decided to design tools herself that are truly tailored to the mosaic maker.
| Seabell is the work of Sibel Roni Hananel , a mosaic artist who develops tools based on her own years of experience at the workbench. Because she repeatedly encountered the same pain points in her practice—pliers that were too heavy, flying shards, worn blades with no replacement option—she decided to design tools herself that are truly tailored to the mosaic maker. |  |
That approach is palpable in every piece of the Seabell collection . The pliers are ergonomically shaped, lightweight thanks to the use of cast aluminum, and virtually all wear parts – wheels, blades, tips, O-rings – are replaceable. This means that a single pair of pliers lasts for years: when the cutting edge becomes dull, you replace only the wear part instead of the entire pair of pliers.
Designed by a mosaic maker, for mosaic makers: Sibel Roni Hananel combines her artistic background with technical insight. The Seabell pliers are suitable for both left- and right-handed users.
Glaskniptang - Seabell Mosaic Tools
The Glass Cutting Pliers are the improved version of the standard glass cutting pliers. With its cast aluminum design, it is not only significantly lighter, but the longer handles also increase strength and leverage. Numerous built-in features reduce fatigue and improve control and accuracy when cutting glass mosaic.
Technical Specifications
- Housing: cast aluminium
- Handles: longer than standard, for more leverage
- Cutting wheels: numbered tungsten carbide wheels
- Thickness lock: holds the handles at the correct cutting angle for both thin and thick tesserae
- Built-in Allen key: always at hand to turn the wheels and activate a fresh cutting edge.
- Specific to glass: other materials blunt the cutting edges.
Numbered Wheels: Always a Sharp Edge
The cutting wheels are equipped with positions . When one position wears out, you rotate the wheel to the next position using the built-in Allen key to continue working with a fresh cutting edge. This significantly extends the lifespan of your wheels.
MaxPro Compound Mozaïektang - Seabell Mosaic Tools
The MaxPro Compound Mosaic Pliers are the most versatile pliers in the collection. They are lightweight, equipped with a powerful spring and comfortable handles . The pliers come in a felt pouch with an extra pair of tungsten carbide blades and an Allen key.
Technical Specifications
- Materials: cuts ceramics, glass, and porcelain (marble, granite, and similar materials are still in the testing phase and not recommended)
- 3-position locking: push button with 3 positions, up to a gap of 15mm for thicker tiles
- Cutting range: cuts between 3-7mm and 7-12mm
- Adjustable depth guide: for consistent work
- Replaceable tungsten carbide blades: both straight and curved versions, available separately
- Housing: special hard precision steel
- Suitable for right- and left-handed people
Straight or Curved Blades: What Effect?
The dual equipment with two types of blades makes the MaxPro Compound particularly versatile:
- Straight blades: provide a straight cut – ideal for ceramics, porcelain, and smalti when you want clean lines.
- Curved blades: give a slightly curved cut – useful for organic shapes and working leaves and curves.
Changing blades: The included Allen key allows you to quickly switch between straight and curved blades. This effectively gives you two specialized pliers in one tool.
Ceramic scissors - Seabell Mosaic Tools
The ceramic scissors (originally known as parrot-beak pliers) have a characteristic forward-facing jaw . This makes them particularly handy for breaking larger pieces of ceramic or porcelain into manageable pieces before continuing to work with finer pliers.
Typical use:
- Dividing large ceramic tiles into strips or rough pieces
- Pre-cut porcelain plates for further processing
- Work quickly in deeper parts of the material
Tile pliers Straight and Curved - Seabell Mosaic Tools
For those who work specifically with thicker ceramics, porcelain, and tiles, the Seabell collection offers two variants with a carbide jaw and a stainless cast aluminium housing with comfortable molded plastic handles.
Straight Tile Pliers
The Straight Tile Pliers cut smoothly and quickly through tiles up to 13mm thick. The straight jaws produce a clean break line and are the standard choice for cutting ceramic, porcelain, and thicker tile material.
Curved Tile Pliers
The Curved Tile Pliers cut 9 to 13mm thick tiles smoothly and quickly into the desired shapes. The curved jaws allow for controlled snipping away of small pieces, enabling the creation of organic forms.
Important: Not for glass
The Straight and Curved Tile Pliers are specifically designed for ceramics, porcelain, and tiles. Do not use them to cut glass – the Glass Cutting Pliers are intended for this. Using the wrong pliers for glass leads to shattering of the material and damage to the jaws of the pliers.
Replacement parts: Sustainable Working
A core principle of the Seabell collection is repairability . Instead of replacing an entire pair of pliers when a part wears out, you buy only the worn part. That is both economically advantageous and environmentally responsible.
Available Replacement Parts
- Replacement wheels for the glass cutters: tungsten carbide cutting wheels
- O-rings for the glass cutting pliers: the rubber O-rings around the cutting surfaces wear out with use and are available in sets of 2.
- Replacement tips for the Straight Tile Pliers: straight carbide tips
- Replacement tips for the Curved Tile Pliers: curved carbide tips
- Tungsten carbide blades for the MaxPro Compound: both straight and curved variants, sold separately
Workshop tip: Always keep a spare set of wheels or blades in stock. Blunt cutting edges cause irregular breaks and make you feel like you have to press harder – which can lead to wrist problems in the long run. Replacing them on time means working comfortably on time.
Which Pliers for Which Material?
Below is an overview to help you choose the right pliers:
For Glass
- Glass mosaic and thinner glass: Glass cutting pliers
- Thicker glass (up to 12mm): MaxPro Compound Mosaic Pliers with curved blades
For Ceramics and Porcelain
- Small tiles, micro and mini ceramics: MaxPro Compound Mosaic Pliers with straight blades
- Dividing larger tiles: Ceramic scissors
- Thicker tiles (up to 13mm), straight cuts: Straight Tile Pliers
- Thicker tiles (9-13mm), shaping: Curved tile pliers
For Smalti
For smalti, most mosaic makers work with the MaxPro Compound Mosaic Pliers with straight blades, which can neatly break through the dense glass structure.
Not Recommended for Marble and Granite
According to the manufacturer, the MaxPro Compound Mosaic Pliers are not recommended for marble, granite, or similar natural stone materials – these are still in the testing phase. Specific tools exist for natural stone, such as the hammer with a hardened iron (Martellina).
Working with the Seabell Pliers
Correct Cutting Technique
Good cutting tools reduce the effort, but technique remains important for a clean result:
- Place the material only a fraction into the jaws: the deeper the piece sits between the blades or wheels, the more unpredictable the breakage.
- Use the position markings: there are positions on the wheels of the glass cutting pliers. Turn the wheel regularly so that you use a fresh cutting edge.
- Let the pliers do the work: thanks to the lever mechanism, a gentle squeeze is sufficient.
- Set the thickness lock correctly: on the MaxPro Compound, activate the correct setting for the thickness of your material (3-7mm or 7-12mm)
Safety
- Always wear safety glasses when cutting glass, ceramics, or porcelain.
- Wear a dust mask during intensive work with ceramics and porcelain (fine dust).
- Cut over a container or cloth to catch sharp remnants.
- Keep children and pets away from your work surface
Maintenance of your Seabell Pliers
With little effort, these pliers last for years:
- Wipe clean after use: remove fine glass or ceramic dust particles with a dry cloth or brush, especially around the hinge points.
- Light oil on the hinges: a drop of fine machine oil now and then keeps the mechanism smooth.
- Store in a dry place: the aluminium is rust-resistant, but the steel parts do require dry storage.
- Rotate the wheels in time: always use a sharp cutting edge instead of continuing to work with a blunt wheel.
- Store in the included case: the felt cover protects against dust and mechanical damage.
For Whom Is This Collection?
The Seabell collection focuses on mosaic hobbyists and artists who work on a regular basis and are looking for tools that will serve them for years:
- Beginning mosaic makers who want to start immediately with quality tools and do not want to work through a whole series of cheap pliers first.
- Experienced mosaicists who want strong leverage for thicker or harder materials
- Artists who work with multiple materials: the MaxPro Compound with interchangeable blades is particularly suitable for those who jump from glass to ceramics and back again.
- Teachers and workshop facilitators: replaceable parts and ergonomic handles are an advantage for intensive shared use.
- People with wrist complaints: the lightweight housing and lever mechanism reduce the hand pressure required to cut.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the glass cutting pliers and the MaxPro Compound?
The Glass Cutting Pliers work with rotating wheels that compress the glass until it breaks. These pliers are specifically designed for glass. The MaxPro Compound Mosaic Pliers work with interchangeable blades (straight or curved) in a lever system and cut ceramics, porcelain, and glass between 3 and 12 mm. Many mosaic makers own both pliers because they are each intended for different materials.
Can I do all my mosaic work with one pair of pliers?
If you mainly use one material (for example, only glass mosaic), the Glass Cutting Pliers will suffice. If you work with multiple materials, the MaxPro Compound Mosaic Pliers are the most versatile choice thanks to the interchangeable blades. For those who frequently work with thick ceramics, the Straight or Curved Tile Pliers are more efficient.
What is tungsten carbide and why is it important?
Tungsten carbide is an extremely hard metal carbide that stays sharp much longer than ordinary steel. As a result, the blades and wheels in Seabell pliers can withstand repeated cutting of hard materials.
How long do the wheels and blades last?
That depends heavily on how intensively you work and what material you cut. With normal hobby use, wheels and blades last for years , especially since you can rotate the wheels to constantly activate a fresh cutting edge. However, if you cut the wrong materials (for example, ceramics with the Glass Cutting Pliers), this significantly shortens the lifespan.
Are the pliers suitable for left-handed people?
Yes. The Seabell pliers are designed to be suitable for both left- and right-handed users .
Why is the MaxPro Compound not recommended for marble?
According to the manufacturer, marble, granite, and similar natural stones are still in the testing phase . These materials have an unpredictable fracture structure and high hardness. Specific tools exist for natural stone, such as the hammer with a hard iron (Martellina).
Up to what thickness can the MaxPro Compound cut?
The MaxPro Compound Mosaic Pliers feature a push button with 3 settings. In one setting, they cut materials between 3 and 7 mm, and in the other between 7 and 12 mm. For thicker tiles, the pliers open to 15 mm .
Can I have my own pliers sharpened?
Sharpening is not recommended . The tungsten carbide blades and wheels are precision-made and have a specific cutting geometry that is lost upon resharpening. Moreover, it is much more economical and simpler to replace the relevant part using the separate parts sets.
Which pliers should I choose as a beginner?
For those just starting out with mosaic and primarily wanting to work with glass mosaic , the Glass Cutting Pliers are an excellent starting point. For those wanting to work with multiple materials right from the start, the MaxPro Compound Mosaic Pliers are the most versatile choice. Unsure? Then choose the material you will work with most often.
How do I best store my pliers?
Store the pliers in the supplied case in a dry place. Wipe them clean after use and occasionally apply a drop of fine machine oil to the hinge. Do not leave them lying around in a damp workspace – although the aluminium is rust-resistant, the steel parts can be affected by moisture.
What is in the box with the MaxPro Compound?
The MaxPro Compound Mosaic Pliers come in a felt pouch containing an extra pair of tungsten carbide blades and an Allen key for changing the blades.
What is the purpose of the O-rings on the glass cutting pliers?
The rubber O-rings are located around the cutting surfaces of the glass cutting pliers. They catch cut pieces and provide more control during cutting. The O-rings are wear parts and are available separately as replacement parts (set of 2).
Ready to Cut Better?
The Seabell collection combines ergonomic design, durable materials, and replaceable parts in a line developed by a mosaic artist who works with these pliers day in and day out. Whether you are just starting your first project or have been mosaicking for years, Seabell pliers make cutting noticeably more comfortable, precise, and safer. Discover the full collection below and choose the pliers – or the set – that suit your work.
