Feeding Tongs & Snake Hooks for a BP?

[LadyParvati]

I was recently told I should be using feeding tongs for offering FT prey to my BP and that I need to "hook train" him. I've been holding the rat by the tail to offer the prey with no problems, but my friend, who does have a much larger number of snakes than I, assures me I will get bit if I continue to do this. He also says that when my BP is bigger, the snake hook will be essential.

So I have two questions:

1) Do I really need these tools?

2) If I do,
a) what kind of feeding tongs (plastic or metal, size, even brand name would be welcome) and
b) what kind of snake hook (same info as above requested)?

Thanks!