SE Stainless Steel Alligator Forceps, 3.5" - Durable, Serrated Tip for Precision Grasping in Hobbies, Crafts, Proffessionals, and DIYers - SPAF-3.5

I wasn't sure if it would work but thought I'd give it a try. I had two brushes caught in the slide tube of an inherited trumpet. This was a real problem. A replacement slide would cost from $250-$300. I had already packed it to be sent to a person who said he might be able to fix it. I spent the 9 bucks for these forceps and waited to send the it to the fixer. Once the item arrived I ripped open the package and pushed it down the slide grasping the brush. With some tugging I was able to pull the first out. The second came easily. Thus I was saved a mailing fee and a fixing fee to regain the use of the slide. The trumpet is now playing nicely. I'm glad I bought them. I was surprised at the strength of the grasping point. A good item worth the money.

This is a great price for exactly the instrument that I needed. And, if you have over-the-ear hearing devices with the little tube that goes into your ear canal like I do, you cannot afford to be without this handy little pair of alligator forceps.Once in a great while, especially when the rubber hearing aid domes are nearing the point of replacement, I have had the dome itself come off inside the ear canal as I removed the device. Sometimes it remains right at the surface and comes out without much trouble, especially with the help of a spouse or friend armed with nimble fingers or tweezers. But when the dome is lodged deeper, probing with tweezers can push the dome even further down to rest right on the eardrum itself.The first time this happened was on Christmas Eve a couple of years ago. I found an emergency care center that was open and the doctor on call was able to quickly remove it from my ear with a light and alligator forceps. The cost was a couple of hours of time and about $90.Since I'm a slow learner, I did nothing until a few months ago when the same thing happened. Returning to the same clinic, I was told they could not help me because they had no alligator forceps in the building. They sent me to a nearby ER. Four hours and $800 later, the ER doc successfully performed the 30 second "surgery" of removing the dome with a throw-away pair of alligator forceps.As I went through this emotionally and financially excruciating experience, this time I took note of the size and design of the forceps. Hmmmm, I thought. Someone somewhere sells these things.It didn't take me long on Amazon to locate this item for under $10. Prices escalate greatly, probably for forceps designed to stay in a doctor's bag or surgery center. But if disposable forceps are good enough for the ER, I thought they would work for me, and they do! Since my use is limited, these "disposable" forceps will probably last me a lifetime. [Note: I would highly recommend that you do NOT poke around in your own ear. Get someone with steady hands and good eyes to do it for you under a strong light.]When I received the item I was pleased that they appear to be well made and exactly what I needed. I have used them twice in the past few months and I never travel without them in my bag. My mother-in-law just got similar hearing devices and I have ordered a pair for her and another for me - one for home and the other to stay in my travel kit so I never forget them. At this price, you are way ahead of going to an quick-care clinic even if you only use them one time. For the price of just one trip to the ER, you could buy forceps to supply your entire neighborhood!

Excellent tool. Have already used it in the removal of objects from a patient's ear. Great grasp, does not obstruct view or canal, and most of all due to its size, the jaws do not cause any discomfort to the patient when utilizing it. Product is as pictured and appears to be of good quality. Would definitely purchase more for the clinic. I got the 3.5in, but I'll go for the 5in one next time I'm purchasing.

Great roach clips! And for tiny detailed gripping work.

I had a Q-tip tip come off in my ear. After going to the doctor and two people taking 20 minutes to retrieve it, I knew there had to be a better way. So, researching on amazon, I thought this might be the solution. I purchased these hoping I would never need them. Sure enough, I got to try them out almost immediately. I was a little worried I wouldn't be able to do this on myself safely, but proceeded with caution. I was able to retrieve the cotton on my first attempt, easily. Amazing and without having my ear probed for 20 minutes. I couldn't recommend a product any more than this one. If I can do it without seeing it, quickly and painlessly, how can you beat that?

I like these clamps. They seem to be sturdy. I would have given these a 5 but they were about 5 days late in getting to me.

Hearing aid dome in ear canal. Easy to reach, grasp, and remove. Saved a trip to the doctor.

Seems to work for my use. Needed a tool to reach down into a small hole.