I have no idea why folks think that feeding live will make it more difficult to feed FT in the future.
I usually offer all of my breeders a live meal after they have been fasting for breeding or egg-laying. It stimulates their appetite more readily. After that, though, they go right back to FT without an issue.
I have had a few snakes turn finicky after they started breeding, but they began refusing FT on their own, and I only fed them live as a last resort--once I did they continued to refuse FT, and remain picky eaters. Sometimes happens with breeder males.
In most cases, the occasional live meal does absolutely nothing in terms of conditioning a snake not to want FT. They'll most likely take FT next week without an issue.
It's not necessary to damage the rodent's claws to prevent it from scratching. At rat's nails can't penetrate a snake's scales. It's only cruel to hurt them in that fashion.
I do understand your desire to protect your snake, but there is no reason to be unnecessarily cruel to the feeder rodents. Hurting a conscious animal without any anaesthetic is terribly cruel--can you honestly imagine the pain of having your feet and face crushed in metal tongs? Pre-kill the rodents if you feel the need to protect your snake. Served up still twitching in reflex, they will be just as fascinated by a freshly dead rodent as they are by a live one.
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