kleszcze 英語で:

... off his watch, which ticks, like a metal pulse...

I hate ticks!

a pair of tongs

The tongs won't hold it, it's too big, so I use the tongs to divert its attention and grab it by the scruff of the neck

My forceps.

forceps /ˈfɔ: seps; US / noun [pl.] a special instrument that looks like a pair of scissors but is not sharp. Forceps are used by doctors for holding things firmly a pair of forceps ▶ kleszcze