A grasp-activated power switch has a switch body, an outer conductive shell covering the switch the body, and a tool body. The switch body has an open-ended channel. An upper and lower conductive band are formed about the inner surface of the channel and are electrically separated from one another. An outer conductive band on the outer surface of the switch body is electrically coupled to the upper band. An outer conductive surface on the outer surface of the switch body is electrically coupled to the lower band. The tool body is electrically separated from the inner surface of the channel and includes a first and a second pin extending inwards. One of the pins is coupled to a motor and the other pin is coupled to a battery so that a manual grasping force applied to the outer shell completes the electrical connection to energize the motor.