A gripping tool of the pliers type for removing an inking plug from an ink container including a pair of pivotally connected handle members being connected by a pivot pin; and a pair of opposed semi-circular shaped jaws rigidly attached to the pair of handle members, respectively; such that each of the jaws forms an arc of between 90.degree. and 180.degree.. Each of the jaws has an L-shaped configuration in cross section and including a first wall member for engaging a first surface of the inking plug and a second wall member perpendicular to the first wall member, wherein the second wall member engages a second surface of the inking plug and includes a chamfered edge for engaging the space between the inking plug and the ink container for wedging them apart to allow the first and second wall member of each of the jaws to move towards each other so that the respective first and second wall members of each of the jaws may fully engage the first and second surfaces of the inking plug to pull it away from the ink container.