“The needle-forceps which I employ is made to obviate two difficulties.  First, the tendency for the needle to slip when passing the needle on a curve, and, secondly, the danger of spoiling the point of the needle when withdrawing it.  It is a double forceps composed of two halves the central portion of which are made of elastic steel, which forms the handle.  These halves cross at each end and terminate in the jaws of the forceps.  At one end there are grooves in the jaws, admitting the needle, and holding it at either an acute, obtuse, or right angle, whichever the operator may require.  The other end of the forceps has jaws faced with soft copper.  This is used to grasp the point of the needle in drawing it through.”  - Alexander J.C. Skene - 1881.