Locking parallel pliers comprising: a first handle having a first end connected with a first jaw and a second end; a second handle having a first end connected with a second jaw and a second end pivotally connected by a first pivot pin with said second end of the first handle; a first biasing member acting between said first and second handles (200, 300); a third handle pivotally connected by a second pivot pin to said second handle and arranged such that said second handle is disposed between said first and third handles (200, 400); a second biasing member acting between said second and third handles (300, 400) and a third biasing member acting between said first and third handles (200, 400), wherein said first, second and third biasing members are configured such that said third biasing member provides a relatively greater bias than said first and second biasing members (72, 73); an elongate member projecting from said first handle through an opening provided in said second handle and having a side provided with a series of teeth, wherein said third handle comprises a nose portion that engages said teeth and is provided with a smooth portion and a toothed portion, and a locking mechanism for locking said first and second jaws (201, 301), said locking mechanism comprising a strut pivotally connected with said first handle and having a first end slidingly connected with a groove provided in said third handle and a second end provided with first locking teeth and a switch pivotally connected with said first handle and provided with second locking teeth releasably engageable with said first locking teeth, the arrangement being such that, in use, a user applied force squeezing the first and third handles (200, 400) together causes said first and second handles (200, 300) to close to bring said first and second jaws (201, 301) into engagement with a workpiece disposed between said first and second jaws and at least substantially no movement of said third handle towards said second handle and a resistance to movement of said first jaw towards said second jaw provided by said workpiece engaged between said first and second jaws causes said third handle to pivot relative to said second handle moving said smooth portion out of engagement with said series of teeth and engaging said toothed portion with said series of teeth. a first handle having a first end connected with a first jaw and a second end; a second handle having a first end connected with a second jaw and a second end pivotally connected by a first pivot pin with said second end of the first handle; a first biasing member acting between said first and second handles (200, 300); a third handle pivotally connected by a second pivot pin to said second handle and arranged such that said second handle is disposed between said first and third handles (200, 400); a second biasing member acting between said second and third handles (300, 400) and a third biasing member acting between said first and third handles (200, 400), wherein said first, second and third biasing members are configured such that said third biasing member provides a relatively greater bias than said first and second biasing members (72, 73); an elongate member projecting from said first handle through an opening provided in said second handle and having a side provided with a series of teeth, wherein said third handle comprises a nose portion that engages said teeth and is provided with a smooth portion and a toothed portion, and a locking mechanism for locking said first and second jaws (201, 301), said locking mechanism comprising a strut pivotally connected with said first handle and having a first end slidingly connected with a groove provided in said third handle and a second end provided with first locking teeth and a switch pivotally connected with said first handle and provided with second locking teeth releasably engageable with said first locking teeth, the arrangement being such that, in use, a user applied force squeezing the first and third handles (200, 400) together causes said first and second handles (200, 300) to close to bring said first and second jaws (201, 301) into engagement with a workpiece disposed between said first and second jaws and at least substantially no movement of said third handle towards said second handle and a resistance to movement of said first jaw towards said second jaw provided by said workpiece engaged between said first and second jaws causes said third handle to pivot relative to said second handle moving said smooth portion out of engagement with said series of teeth and engaging said toothed portion with said series of teeth.