A tool for gripping an object, having a lengthwise center axis and, running perpendicular thereto, a pivot axis, and a stop axis, the tool comprising: a first arm; a second arm, abutting the first arm; each arm (26, 28) having in the lengthwise axis direction a pivot end and a shank connected to the pivot end, and a grip end connected to the shank, the grip end comprising a jaw (42A, 42B) that is at a terminal end of the arm, the grip end C shaped and defining a concavity which is open- sided, wherein each arm pivot end is configured for pivot motion about said pivot axis, enabling the arm (26, 28) to pivot from an arm home position to an arm open position; wherein at said home position the jaw and concavity of one arm respectively overlap the jaw and concavity of the other arm, and mated concavities thereby define a space within which said object may be gripped; wherein when the jaws (42A, 42B) are in said open position the jaws are spaced apart sufficiently to allow the object to enter said overlapping concavity space; at least one spring for urging said arms to the home position; a first housing; a second housing spaced apart from the first housing and connected to the first housing by a fastener (32,74) running along said stop axis; wherein said arms (26, 28) are pivotably and slidably contained in the space between the housings (22, 24); wherein a portion of the shank of each arm (26, 28) extends laterally from said space between the housings, to enable manual pressing on the arm to move the arm in the direction of said open position, against the force of said spring; each housing (22, 24) having in the lengthwise axis direction a first end positioned along said pivot axis, a mid-body, and a second end; the second end comprising a pair of forks defining a U shape opening which aligns with said overlapping concavity space when the arms are in the home position; each fork having a tip; characterized in that the tool has a locking axis and each arm has a tab (44A, 44B) extending lengthwise from said shank into the concavity of said C shape grip end; and the pivot motion of each arm (26,28) during opening of the jaws (42A, 42B) is limited by contact of the tab (44A, 44B) with a fastener (32, 34) or a spacer (30, 130) positioned around the fastener (32, 34). a first arm; a second arm, abutting the first arm; each arm (26, 28) having in the lengthwise axis direction a pivot end and a shank connected to the pivot end, and a grip end connected to the shank, the grip end comprising a jaw (42A, 42B) that is at a terminal end of the arm, the grip end C shaped and defining a concavity which is open- sided, wherein each arm pivot end is configured for pivot motion about said pivot axis, enabling the arm (26, 28) to pivot from an arm home position to an arm open position; wherein at said home position the jaw and concavity of one arm respectively overlap the jaw and concavity of the other arm, and mated concavities thereby define a space within which said object may be gripped; wherein when the jaws (42A, 42B) are in said open position the jaws are spaced apart sufficiently to allow the object to enter said overlapping concavity space; at least one spring for urging said arms to the home position; a first housing; a second housing spaced apart from the first housing and connected to the first housing by a fastener (32,74) running along said stop axis; wherein said arms (26, 28) are pivotably and slidably contained in the space between the housings (22, 24); wherein a portion of the shank of each arm (26, 28) extends laterally from said space between the housings, to enable manual pressing on the arm to move the arm in the direction of said open position, against the force of said spring; each housing (22, 24) having in the lengthwise axis direction a first end positioned along said pivot axis, a mid-body, and a second end; the second end comprising a pair of forks defining a U shape opening which aligns with said overlapping concavity space when the arms are in the home position; each fork having a tip; characterized in that the tool has a locking axis and each arm has a tab (44A, 44B) extending lengthwise from said shank into the concavity of said C shape grip end; and the pivot motion of each arm (26,28) during opening of the jaws (42A, 42B) is limited by contact of the tab (44A, 44B) with a fastener (32, 34) or a spacer (30, 130) positioned around the fastener (32, 34).