I wish to buy a pair from eBay: what is this gadget called, I can't find it anywhere? Is it a wire/cable grip/clasp/claw? In the photo attached, I show it with the "grip" withdrawn, and with the "grip" open.

 

how about a hook probe?

 

it's a snot extractor

 

how about a hook probe?

There is something similar, which has a small hook at the probe end. I think this is a 'grabber', but I could be wrong.

 

Grabber. They are nearly obsolete now that there are very few component lead to grab.

 

From RS and nearest I could find on eBay.

 

Generally described as Pincer probe by Fluke etc.
Many come up on ebay.
Max.

 

Search... Test hook grabbers

http://m.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw...hook+grabber&sqp=multimeter+test+hook+grabber

 

If you live in the U.K, Maplins, or CPC sell multimeter leads with a simple retractable hook at the end.
Maplin stock no. for sub miniature probe clips are FE16s black, FE19v red.
miniature probe clips are N60BY for black, N61BY for red.
Large probe clips are N62BY black, N63BY red.
10 amp 100mm Test hook probes are N58KQ for a pair, one black, one red.

 

SMD micro grabbers:
http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/159/D72902_1_19_06-53448.pdf
http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/159/D72904_1_20_06-466860.pdf