Abstract: A forceps has legs which are connected to each other at the first of their nds and are movable toward and away from each other with their second ends in response to the application of pressure against their intermediate portions to thereby flex the legs in the region of the first ends. One of the legs carries a pin which extends into and is guided by a tubular component on the other leg so as to ensure that the legs are held against stray movements during each and every stage of their movement between open and closed positions. The tubular component cooperates with the one leg to determine the closed positions, and such component cooperates with the pin to determine the open positions, of the legs. The pin and the tubular component are disposed within the confines of and between the intermediate portions of the two legs in a region which is remote from the second ends and close to those parts of the intermediate portions which serve as handgrip means.