Abstract: A stretchable tube-like sleeve surrounds and frictionally grips an inner rod or tube. A coil spring surrounds the sleeve in position to resist movement of one end of the sleeve against the spring force. Moving the rod axially relative to the spring in a direction against the spring force on the sleeve decreases the inner diameter of the sleeve to produce a drag on the inner member. Movement of the opposite end of the sleeve is limited by a stop. This causes the sleeve to expand and allows the rod to slip with a constant drag which is determined by the strength of the spring. With the spring force in position to be applied to only one end of the sleeve, movement of the inner member in the opposite direction provides only a minimal drag as determined by the initial frictional interference between the sleeve and the inner member. Positioning the spring to resist movement of either end of the sleeve, provides a constant drag on the inner member with either direction of movement of the rod relative to the sleeve.