A small, soft, gripping device inserted into bone fixation plate bending/cutting pliers to hold the free section of a cut implant to prevent it from becoming a projectile when it is cut. The insert is used when modifying an orthopaedic implant, typically a light bone plate [e.g., a 1-2 mm in thickness craniomaxillofacial (CMF) fixation plate being cut to a desired length]. It is typically made of synthetic material (e.g., silicone). This is a reusable device.