Everyone uses their own methods... a given!

I joined this forum a few months ago and have never posted until today. It seems this is "often" a forum of putting down the various available methods, with most claiming their way is better than others.

Almost always.

French Wire is cheaper than 14k bead tip and clam shell is even more expensive. If one want to say bead tip / clam shell manner is the cheap way of making a necklace... that would be false.

Further more, I have yet to come across French Wire in 14k or SS. This wire is most often offered as plated base metal. Put that with a 14k or whatever precious metal and we are cheater our customers.