An oilfield elevator, comprising: first and second body halves (102a, 102b) pivotally-coupled at a hinge and moveable between an open position and a closed position; one or more slips (130a, 130b, 130c, 130d) slidably received within one or more corresponding downwardly- and inwardly-tapered slots defined in respective inner circumferential surfaces (124a, 124b) of the first and second body halves (102a, 102b), the one or more slips (130a, 130b, 130c, 130d) being configured to translate vertically within the one or more tapered slots and, at the same time, translate radially with respect to the first and second body halves (102a, 102b); first and second timing bars (132a, 132b) coupled to the one or more slips (130a, 130b, 130c, 130d); first and second tension handles (140a, 140b) pivotally-coupled to the first and second body halves (102a, 102b), respectively, and moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the first and second tension handles (140a, 140b) each having a body that terminates at a connection point; and first and second biasing members each having a first end coupled to the connection point of the first and second tension handles (140a, 140b), respectively, and a second end coupled to the first and second timing bars (132a, 132b), respectively, wherein the first and second biasing members are configured to impart a downward force on the one or more slips (130a, 130b, 130c, 130d) via the first and second timing bars (132a, 132b) when the first and second handles (140a, 140b) are in the locked position, and wherein the first and second biasing members are configured to reduce the downward force on the one or more slips (130a, 130b, 130c, 130d) via the first and second timing bars (132a, 132b) when the first and second handles (140a, 140b) are in the unlocked position. first and second body halves (102a, 102b) pivotally-coupled at a hinge and moveable between an open position and a closed position; one or more slips (130a, 130b, 130c, 130d) slidably received within one or more corresponding downwardly- and inwardly-tapered slots defined in respective inner circumferential surfaces (124a, 124b) of the first and second body halves (102a, 102b), the one or more slips (130a, 130b, 130c, 130d) being configured to translate vertically within the one or more tapered slots and, at the same time, translate radially with respect to the first and second body halves (102a, 102b); first and second timing bars (132a, 132b) coupled to the one or more slips (130a, 130b, 130c, 130d); first and second tension handles (140a, 140b) pivotally-coupled to the first and second body halves (102a, 102b), respectively, and moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the first and second tension handles (140a, 140b) each having a body that terminates at a connection point; and first and second biasing members each having a first end coupled to the connection point of the first and second tension handles (140a, 140b), respectively, and a second end coupled to the first and second timing bars (132a, 132b), respectively, wherein the first and second biasing members are configured to impart a downward force on the one or more slips (130a, 130b, 130c, 130d) via the first and second timing bars (132a, 132b) when the first and second handles (140a, 140b) are in the locked position, and wherein the first and second biasing members are configured to reduce the downward force on the one or more slips (130a, 130b, 130c, 130d) via the first and second timing bars (132a, 132b) when the first and second handles (140a, 140b) are in the unlocked position.