Abstract: A holder for nails and the like includes a pair of operating members with pivot means biasing the jaw portions of the operating members into normally closed position and with the handle portions being movable towards each other to open the jaw portions. The jaw portions have vertically extending inner side faces and inclined outer side faces tapering from a reduced cross section at the top faces thereof to a broad cross section adjacent the bottom faces thereof. The outer side face of at least one jaw portion may have measuring indicia spaced along one portion of the length thereof, and the pivot means and operating members are desirably integrally formed. To limit the amount of pivotal movement of the operating member handle portions, stops are provided thereon which project towards each other and which are spaced apart a predetermined limited distance in the normal position of the holder.