Various embodiments relate generally to surgical instruments, tools, and apparatuses for medical use, including, but not limited to, clamps, forceps, hemostats, and pincers, as well as needle holders and drivers and other tools that may include one or more locking mechanisms for surgical and medical use, and, more specifically, to surgical instruments implementing one or more locking mechanisms to, among other things, restrict access of an object to a protective locking mechanism and/or enhance control of granular application of pressure. In some examples, a surgical instrument may include lever members, each of which may include an application portion, a pivot portion, and a contacting portion. The surgical instrument may also include a pivot assembly and one or more locking mechanism portions, at least one of which may include a protective member to restrict access of an object to interpose between locking elements.
