Some thoughts on tools:
Large paper clips (as opposed to regular sized) are slightly less flimsy, and certainly longer.
A packet of assorted sewing needles which focuses more on tapestry and leather uses -- these are usually longer and thicker. Some of the rug needles often have a curve near the end, but may or may not have a flattened portion that makes the overall (effective) diameter substantially larger. Don't know how big the bore on your pipe is...
I got a really neat digging tool from a candle-making kit, the pin is shaped like this: 0----- , with the overall length just a shade over 3 inches. The tip is sharp, it is meant to stab through the braid of a candle wick, ultimately resting on top of the mold, holding the wick stable and in place while you pour the hot wax into the mold. The round end is about a half inch in diameter, it facillitates in your getting a grip while you stab away at the wick with the other end. Unbendable, a great great tool.
It occured to me that the immediately above pin looks very much like, and may in fact be the same as, one of those metal pins used to truss up turkeys once you've stuffed them. Try your grocery store.
When I was making candles recently for the holidays, I made some of my own molds, and the pin method of holding the wick worked so well that I wanted to duplicate it, but had only that one pin. I had a bunch of metal rods originally used to display flower tags in potted plants I had bought over the years. These rods were about 4 inches long, and about the same diameter as the pin. I stripped the green plastic from them by first scoring with a razor blade; they were perfect. I still had to worm the hole into the wick with the pin before inserting, but then could thread these metal rods through the hole without problem. More bendable than the pin, not so good for your purposes.