A locking utensil is provided. The utensil has a pair of pivoting
spring-loaded arms each having a forward functional end and a rear
attachment end. The utensil includes a locking assembly, featuring an
eccentrically shaped cam disposed in a channel between the arms. One side
of the cam has a projecting shoulder dimensioned to frictionally engage
an inside surface of the channel when the shoulder side of the cam is
rocked into contact with the inside surface. The cam can releasably
retain the arms closed to lock them. An actuator tab that extends out of
the channel is used to rock the cam into and out of locking engagement.