Getting plastic outer CV boot on axle?

I recently removed, cleaned, re-packed and re-booted my outer CV joint. I had a heck of a time getting the hard plastic boot over the axle shaft without the small diameter end inverting or folding in on itself. After numerous times and the help of some channelocks I was finally able to get the boot on.

Does anyone have any tricks of the trade to get the hard plastic boot on the axle?

Does anyone think this may lead to an increased chance the boot may fail at this location due to my repeated attempts to put get the boot over the axle shaft and the area being subjected to repeated flexing?

By the way, this is the location where my previous boot failed.

I usually lube it up, and use the shaft portion of a pick to roll it over the edges that stick

I just did mine. I couldn't do it without extra help from a friend. PITA!!

I just replace the whole axle. That's a PITA all in it's own. But no dealing with special boot clip crimp tools.