Abstract: A hand tool for gripping an article in locking relation generally consisting of a pair of elongated members connected together for pivotal movement about a first axis, providing a pair of jaw portions at one set of ends thereof cooperable to engage the article therebetween and a pair of handle portions adapted to be grasped by a hand of the user thereof; one of the handle portion including a segment having an arcuate surface disposed coaxially with the first axis; and a lever member connected to the other of the elongated members for pivotal movement about a second axis, having a first end engageable by at least one finger of the user's hand grasping the handle portions of the elongated members when the jaw portions thereof engage the article therebetween, for angularly displacing the lever member about the second axis, and a second end engageable with the arcuate surface in wedging relation to lock the article between the jaw portions of the elongated members.