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.