Irwin Handi-Clamps

These pincer-shaped clamps are designed to open and close easily. They ratchet shut, and only open when you pull the release lever. I got them for holding wood down on the sawhorses when I’m using the saw, but unfortunately they don’t grip tight enough for that — they can only grip as tight as you can squeeze. They’re still useful for holding guides down on the board though.

Score: .5. Useful, but not for heavy-duty tasks

Irwin One-Handed Mini Bar Clamp

Like the Handi-Clamp, these are designed to open and close easily. However, unlike the Handi-Clamp, these things are much more substantial. This model has a pump-action grip, so even when the jaws are already clamped to the object, you can still tighten it more by squeezing the trigger. These will hold a board to a sawhorse. These have a release trigger as well. They have a ratchet-like action (though it dosn’t appear to be an actual mechanical ratchet) so you can push them closed onto an object with your hands (and then pump the trigger to make it tight), but you can’t pull them apart without pulling the release.

Score: 1. Very handy and works well.