One less than flexible pole and feather duster? (8)
I believe the answer is:
stickler
'one less than flexible' is the definition.
'pole and feather duster?' is the wordplay.
'pole' becomes 's'.
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'feather duster?' becomes 'tickler'.
's'+'tickler'='STICKLER'
(Other definitions for stickler that I've seen before include "Person who insists on something, say punctuality - sounds adhesive" , "I may do that precisely" , "Disciplinarian, martinet" , "Fusspot" , "Particular person" .)