Abstract: A magnetic grab has a pair of vertically elongated magnetic pole pieces each having an upper end and a lower end. The pole pieces diverge downward symmetrically with respect to a vertical symmetry plane with the upper ends substantially more closely spaced than the lower ends. A plurality of nonmagnetic elements fixed to the pole pieces secure same together and a generally cylindrical rotor engaged between the pole pieces and centered on and rotatable about a rotor axis extending horizontally parallel to and between the pole pieces is formed by a pair of soft-iron bodies one of which is substantially thicker in a direction transverse to the axis than the other. One or more permanent magnets are sandwiched between the bodies and polarized generally diametrically of the rotor axis.