Tongs are provided having a base and two elongate, resilient fingers supported by and cantilevered from the base. At least one and preferably both of the fingers includes a tapered section having a taper increasing in thickness from a proximal location at or near the base to a distal location at or near the distal end. The tapered fingers are more flexible at proximal lengthwise portions near the base and more durable at distal lengthwise portions near the distal ends. The distal gripping faces of the fingers can flatten out, to conform to the shape of the object, and spread out the force on the object, allowing the object to be grasped both firmly and gently.