Skyrivers,
Using your own hand is best because of the feel you have.

You have to kind of adjust the pressure along with the snake. They tighten up to escape and wriggle, then relax and so forth. So you have to adjust alongside with the snake, and nothing takes the place of feeling it through your own hands. Esp. with such a small and fragile animal.

I think its cool to try to think of ways to make it easier, though. Kudos for that ! That is how things get invented. Although your snake looks more like a legless crocodile..hehe.