The proper tool is readily available and about the cost of 5 good tenor sax reeds. http://www.musicmedic.com/catalog/products/tool-pl104.html
I would like to get that tool. I have seen it at the Convention. We just have the Allied pliers which are ok for most applications. I posted the link to Music Medic's tool because it is available to the "civilians".Gordon (NZ) said:JBT, have you tried the Kraus tool I linked to. Very nice.