<h3>Hold it steady, work it safely</h3><p><strong>Holding tools</strong> are workshop tools that grip a <strong>workpiece</strong> firmly so it stays still while you cut, file, drill or shape it. Holding the work securely keeps it from slipping, makes the job <strong>accurate</strong>, and protects your hands from injury.</p><p>Common holding tools include:</p><ul><li><strong>Bench vice</strong> — a strong tool fixed to a bench that clamps metal or wood firmly between its jaws.</li><li><strong>G-clamp (C-clamp)</strong> — shaped like the letter G, it holds pieces together, for example while glue sets.</li><li><strong>Pliers</strong> — hand tools that grip small objects and bend or cut wire.</li><li><strong>Clamps</strong> — hold materials in place during assembly or gluing.</li></ul><p>Using holding tools well means choosing the right tool, tightening it firmly without forcing it, protecting soft surfaces with packing if needed, and always keeping fingers clear of the jaws. A well-held workpiece is the foundation of safe, neat workmanship.</p><div class="callout"><strong>Kenyan context:</strong> In a jua kali metal workshop, a fundi clamps a metal bar in a bench vice before cutting it with a hacksaw. Without the vice the bar would slip, the cut would be crooked, and the worker could be injured.</div>