I'm all for inexpensive alternatives but, I find that my tweezers
come in very handy. Especially when working on smaller stuff with
my big hands.

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That's what pointed chopsticks are for.

Maybe, but I'm not good enough with chopsticks to pluck the new growth from
my maples as they begin opening in spring, and my fingers only work well a
portion of the time. Tweezers easily separate the new unfolding leaves
allowing me to pinch the next set with ease. But I didn't spend an arm and
a leg on the because they were 'bonsai' tweezers, I just picked up some that
were lying around the house. :-) I find many uses for them.

Regards,
Shelly Hurd Central CA - Sunset Zone 8-USDA Zone 9