Abstract: A retaining device for connecting a tool with an eye of varying geometry to the mating geometry of a tool handle. The retaining device includes: the eye of the tool; the end of the handle; lock wedges with a clearance hole and reaction surface; and a wedge bar of two or more integral bosses with threaded through holes, and one or more integral wedges. The lock wedge reaction surfaces are placed in the reaction surfaces of the handle with the narrow end of the lock wedge toward the slot(s) in the end of the handle. The handle and lock wedges are placed in the eye mating the lock wedges and lock wedge sloping surfaces. The wedge bar is oriented and placed in the slot(s) in the end of the handle; the fasteners are inserted through the lock wedge through hole, through the eye, and engaged in the threaded holes of the wedge bar. The fasteners are then tightened. As the fasteners are tightened; the wedge bar, and lock wedges and handle, are simultaneously drawn into the opposite ends of the eye.