Micro-Mark

Nope.  I use the Xuron plier sold by MM and love it.  I have several pairs.  Good size, lightweight, easy to use.

Pliers

I used the Micro Mark #82839 spiking pliers when I was using ME small spikes.  For ME Micro spikes I prefer the MIcro Mark #80338 Tweezer nose pliers.

The most important thing for a pair of pliers is they fit your hand comfortably.

Customized needlenose

I used a pair of regular old needle nose pliers with some grooves cut in the jaws using a dremel cutoff wheel.  One groove lengthwise, a second groove across the jaws so that when the shaft of the spike was in the lengthwise groove with the head in the crosswise groove just enough of the spike stuck out the tip to get it properly started pushing into a tie.  And a third groove about midway between the second one and the top to allow backing the pliers off bit to shove further in while still supporting the shaft of the spike.

Trivial to make if you’ve got a pair of needle nose you don’t mind modifying and a dremel.  Worked pretty well.

needle nose pliers with some grooves cut in the jaws

  I use the same thing. Found a pair of pliers that fit my hand well and grooved them. I've had them for over 30 years. Although i mostly just use them for spiking the grooves don't affect their use for most other purposes...DaveB

plain 5-inch needlenose pliers

I use a pair of miniature needlenose pliers, about 4 inch long handles with 1 inch long jaws.  Never felt the need to groove the jaws, I just pick them up with the flat of the spike facing forward between the jaws, push it in 3/4 of the way, release, close the jaws and push the spike home against the base of the rail with the the flat on the face of the jaws.

Been working for me pretty well since the 90s. I've used a couple other pairs (spring-loaded handles, grooved jaws, padded handles, etc.) but prefer the old ones better and find them more comfortable.  If my hand cramps, it's just a sign to go do something else for a while - spiking for over an hour at a time is a good way for me to bend lots of spikes.  Take a break for half an hour, come back, all good.

Janet N.