how to: remove cacti spines... from cacti.

hi guys.

just wondering what techniques you employ or recomend for removing cacti spines.

im refering to removing lenthly spines to make repotting, grafting or handling easier and of course less painfull.

at the moment i use nail clippers and hold the cacti in a large box that collects the spines as they fall. its time consuming and fairly technical. any better ways people know of?

dont want to damage aerole either for those thinking hack the ribs of with a sharp utencil.

When I prepare plants with large spines to be shipped, such as T.Peruvianus, I cut the sharp tip off the spines with a set of hand held hedging snips. With these I can cut about 10 at a time. However if you want to remove the entire spine you can use pliers but it does damage the plant a little bit.

Like these;

For fine work, try 'electronics side cutters' with a small head (Jaycar Electronics etc).
Should be easier to use and last longer than nail-clippers.  Electronics cutters have a
flush (rather than beveled) edge resulting in a clean cut without crushing.