Hand gripping tool

A hand tool for gripping an object, the hand tool comprising:

• a core member extending along a longitudinal axis of the tool;
• at least two jaws, moveable relative to the core member so as to be openable and closeable, but constrained in a forward direction substantially parallel with said longitudinal axis, at least a portion of each jaw extending from a first end of the core member generally in said forward direction when the jaws are closed, the respective extending portions each having a respective gripping surface;
• and
• a sleeve member arranged to be moveable substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis relative to the core member, the sleeve member having at least one forward facing jaw-engaging surface, the jaws, when open, each presenting a respective reverse facing engaging surface to the at least one jaw-engaging surface of the sleeve member;
• the sleeve member being progressively moveable in the said forward direction to urge the at least one jaw-engaging surface of the sleeve member against the reverse facing engaging surfaces of the jaws, constraint of the jaws in said forward direction causing urging of the sleeve member against the jaws to force the jaws to close;
• the hand tool further comprising two lever pins arranged to extend generally transverse to the longitudinal axis and coaxially from opposite sides of the hand tool at least when the jaws are closed, each lever pin extending from and being integral with a respective one of the jaws.