An apparatus for releasably holding a surgical tool having a body, the body having a longitudinal axis, a monolithic construction, and a shape apportioned to be grasped by a human hand, with body further having a tool engaging portion, a hand receiving portion, and a button pressing portion. A longitudinal bore is disposed along the longitudinal axis of the body, and on one end. A transverse bore is disposed through the body into the longitudinal bore, with the transverse bore disposed such that the longitudinal axis of the transverse bore intersects the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal bore. A button disposed on and pivotably attached at a resilient member to the button pressing portion of the exterior of the body, with the button being proximal to the tool engaging portion. The button has a button bore and a boss extending from the button bore into the transverse bore which is alignable with the longitudinal bore. The button is disposed on the body to be thumb pressable, the button suitable for selectively engaging a corresponding groove on surgical tool.