I have a pair of big tweezers but I prefer my tongs. They were cheap from Amazon and handle my rats with ease. The only issue they have is trying to hold the XL rats my big bloods takes. They won't hold them from the tail very well but pick it up from the hips fine.
As for your startle response you just need to get used to your snakes and learn each of their mannerisms. That and tell yourself the strike is going to happen and try to remain calm when it does. Also delivering the rats in a position where you can not be tagged should help your brain control your reflex by knowing it's safe from the snake. My GTP will come out of its cage so I have to quickly get the dangling rat through the door at an angle that keeps my hand out of reach on the other side of the glass. Doing this is safer for him and me. If you get a strike and your tool is taken leave it with the snake and retrieve it once the snake is done eating. That is much easier and safer than trying to remove it from a coiled snake.
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