diff --git a/citadel.dme b/citadel.dme
index 837642e1522..8f4774d717d 100644
--- a/citadel.dme
+++ b/citadel.dme
@@ -1837,6 +1837,7 @@
 #include "code\game\objects\items\gifts.dm"
 #include "code\game\objects\items\glassjar.dm"
 #include "code\game\objects\items\godfigures.dm"
+#include "code\game\objects\items\gripper.dm"
 #include "code\game\objects\items\gunbox.dm"
 #include "code\game\objects\items\holosign_creator.dm"
 #include "code\game\objects\items\inducer.dm"
@@ -4347,7 +4348,6 @@
 #include "code\modules\mob\living\silicon\robot\items\robot_upgrade\sizeshift.dm"
 #include "code\modules\mob\living\silicon\robot\items\robot_upgrade\syndicate.dm"
 #include "code\modules\mob\living\silicon\robot\items\robot_upgrade\vtec.dm"
-#include "code\modules\mob\living\silicon\robot\legacy_items\gripper.dm"
 #include "code\modules\mob\living\silicon\robot\legacy_items\robot_items.dm"
 #include "code\modules\mob\living\silicon\robot\legacy_items\robot_parts.dm"
 #include "code\modules\mob\living\silicon\robot\modules\cybersun.dm"
diff --git a/code/game/machinery/computer/computer.dm b/code/game/machinery/computer/computer.dm
index 7846e51504f..8dc6961e681 100644
--- a/code/game/machinery/computer/computer.dm
+++ b/code/game/machinery/computer/computer.dm
@@ -113,16 +113,4 @@
 /obj/machinery/computer/attackby(obj/item/I, mob/living/user, params, clickchain_flags, damage_multiplier)
 	if(computer_deconstruction_screwdriver(user, I))
 		return
-	else
-		if(istype(I,/obj/item/gripper)) //Behold, Grippers and their horribleness. If ..() is called by any computers' attackby() now or in the future, this should let grippers work with them appropriately.
-			var/obj/item/gripper/B = I	//B, for Borg.
-			if(!B.get_item())
-				to_chat(user, "\The [B] is not holding anything.")
-				return
-			else
-				var/B_held = B.get_item()
-				to_chat(user, "You use \the [B] to use \the [B_held] with \the [src].")
-				playsound(src, "keyboard", 100, 1, 0)
-				attackby(B.get_item(), user, params, clickchain_flags, damage_multiplier)
-			return
-		return ..()
+	return ..()
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/legacy_items/gripper.dm b/code/game/objects/items/gripper.dm
similarity index 78%
rename from code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/legacy_items/gripper.dm
rename to code/game/objects/items/gripper.dm
index 20f46c36d14..7b7c15c3041 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/legacy_items/gripper.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items/gripper.dm
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
-// todo: this shouldn't be a robot item, this is generic.
-
-//Simple borg hand.
-//Limited use.
+/**
+ * Dynamic way to allow holding another item in an inventory slot / hand slot
+ * with a single static item of the item itself.
+ *
+ * Useful for cyborgs and rigsuits and more.
+ */
 /obj/item/gripper
 	name = "magnetic gripper"
 	desc = "A simple grasping tool specialized in construction and engineering work."
@@ -11,22 +13,8 @@
 	icon_state = "gripper"
 	item_flags = ITEM_NO_BLUDGEON | ITEM_ENCUMBERS_WHILE_HELD
 
-	//Has a list of items that it can hold.
-	var/list/can_hold = list(
-		/obj/item/cell,
-		/obj/item/airlock_electronics,
-		/obj/item/tracker_electronics,
-		/obj/item/module/power_control,
-		/obj/item/stock_parts,
-		/obj/item/frame,
-		/obj/item/camera_assembly,
-		/obj/item/tank,
-		/obj/item/circuitboard,
-		/obj/item/smes_coil,
-		/obj/item/fuelrod/,
-		/obj/item/fuel_assembly/
-		)
-
+	/// Has a list of items that it can hold.
+	var/list/can_hold
 	/// currently held item
 	VAR_PRIVATE/obj/item/wrapped
 
@@ -42,6 +30,56 @@
 	remove_item(drop_location())
 	return ..()
 
+/**
+ * Checks if an item should be able to be held in here.
+ */
+/obj/item/gripper/proc/can_hold(obj/item/item)
+	for(var/typepath in can_hold)
+		if(istype(item,typepath))
+			return TRUE
+	return FALSE
+
+/obj/item/gripper/inv_slot_attached()
+	if(wrapped)
+		return list(wrapped, src)
+	return src
+
+//! WARNING WARNING GRIPPERS ARE STILL SHITCODE !//
+//! This exact combination of hooks will make it work as expected. !//
+//! It's realistically still pretty shitty.                        !//
+
+/obj/item/gripper/pickup(...)
+	. = ..()
+	wrapped?.pickup(arglist(args))
+
+/obj/item/gripper/dropped(...)
+	. = ..()
+	wrapped?.dropped(arglist(args))
+
+/obj/item/gripper/equipped(...)
+	. = ..()
+	wrapped?.equipped(arglist(args))
+
+/obj/item/gripper/unequipped(...)
+	. = ..()
+	wrapped?.unequipped(arglist(args))
+
+/obj/item/gripper/on_inv_equipped(...)
+	. = ..()
+	wrapped?.on_inv_equipped(arglist(args))
+
+/obj/item/gripper/on_inv_unequipped(...)
+	. = ..()
+	wrapped?.on_inv_unequipped(arglist(args))
+
+/obj/item/gripper/on_inv_pickup(...)
+	. = ..()
+	wrapped?.on_inv_pickup(arglist(args))
+
+/obj/item/gripper/on_inv_dropped(...)
+	. = ..()
+	wrapped?.on_inv_dropped(arglist(args))
+
 /obj/item/gripper/proc/insert_item(obj/item/I)
 	if(QDELETED(I))
 		return
@@ -49,6 +87,11 @@
 		remove_item(drop_location())
 	wrapped = I
 	I.forceMove(src)
+	// forcemove will have removed them from inv if they were inside
+	if(worn_slot)
+		I.pickup(inv_inside.owner, NONE, null)
+		I.equipped(inv_inside.owner, isnum(inv_slot_or_index) ? SLOT_ID_HANDS : inv_slot_or_index, NONE)
+		I.on_inv_equipped(inv_inside.owner, inv_inside, inv_slot_or_index, NONE, null)
 	RegisterSignals(I, list(COMSIG_PARENT_QDELETING, COMSIG_MOVABLE_MOVED), PROC_REF(unwrap_hook))
 
 /**
@@ -60,6 +103,8 @@
 	var/obj/item/old = wrapped
 	UnregisterSignal(wrapped, list(COMSIG_PARENT_QDELETING, COMSIG_MOVABLE_MOVED))
 	wrapped = null
+	// in theory the below should pull it out of inventory properly
+	// as worn_slot is set, which allows inventory hooks to fire.
 	switch(newloc)
 		if(null)
 			old.moveToNullspace()
@@ -84,7 +129,6 @@
 		return
 	if(wrapped)
 		return wrapped.attack_self(user)
-	return ..()
 
 /obj/item/gripper/attackby(obj/item/I, mob/living/user, list/params, clickchain_flags, damage_multiplier)
 	// todo: items should have a melee_receive_chain or something that
@@ -125,11 +169,7 @@
 			return
 
 		//Check if the item is blacklisted.
-		var/grab = 0
-		for(var/typepath in can_hold)
-			if(istype(I,typepath))
-				grab = 1
-				break
+		var/grab = can_hold(I)
 
 		//We can grab the item, finally.
 		if(grab)
@@ -171,11 +211,28 @@
 	desc = "A strange grasping tool that can hold anything a human can, but still maintains the limitations of application its more limited cousins have."
 	icon_state = "gripper-omni"
 
-	can_hold = list(/obj/item) // Testing and Event gripper.
+/obj/item/gripper/omni/can_hold(obj/item/item)
+	return TRUE
 
 /obj/item/gripper/omni/no_attack
 	conf_inject_clickchain_flags = CLICKCHAIN_DO_NOT_ATTACK
 
+/obj/item/gripper/engineering
+	can_hold = list(
+		/obj/item/cell,
+		/obj/item/airlock_electronics,
+		/obj/item/tracker_electronics,
+		/obj/item/module/power_control,
+		/obj/item/stock_parts,
+		/obj/item/frame,
+		/obj/item/camera_assembly,
+		/obj/item/tank,
+		/obj/item/circuitboard,
+		/obj/item/smes_coil,
+		/obj/item/fuelrod,
+		/obj/item/fuel_assembly,
+	)
+
 // VEEEEERY limited version for mining borgs. Basically only for swapping cells and upgrading the drills.
 /obj/item/gripper/miner
 	name = "drill maintenance gripper"
@@ -183,8 +240,8 @@
 	icon_state = "gripper-mining"
 
 	can_hold = list(
-	/obj/item/cell,
-	/obj/item/stock_parts
+		/obj/item/cell,
+		/obj/item/stock_parts,
 	)
 
 /obj/item/gripper/security
@@ -193,14 +250,14 @@
 	icon_state = "gripper-sec"
 
 	can_hold = list(
-	/obj/item/paper,
-	/obj/item/paper_bundle,
-	/obj/item/pen,
-	/obj/item/sample,
-	/obj/item/forensics/sample_kit,
-	/obj/item/tape_recorder,
-	/obj/item/barrier_tape_roll,
-	/obj/item/uv_light
+		/obj/item/paper,
+		/obj/item/paper_bundle,
+		/obj/item/pen,
+		/obj/item/sample,
+		/obj/item/forensics/sample_kit,
+		/obj/item/tape_recorder,
+		/obj/item/barrier_tape_roll,
+		/obj/item/uv_light,
 	)
 
 /obj/item/gripper/paperwork
@@ -213,8 +270,8 @@
 		/obj/item/paper_bundle,
 		/obj/item/card/id,
 		/obj/item/book,
-		/obj/item/newspaper
-		)
+		/obj/item/newspaper,
+	)
 
 /obj/item/gripper/medical
 	name = "medical gripper"
@@ -227,8 +284,8 @@
 		/obj/item/reagent_containers/blood,
 		/obj/item/stack/material/phoron,
 		/obj/item/implant,
-		/obj/item/nif
-		)
+		/obj/item/nif,
+	)
 
 /obj/item/gripper/research //A general usage gripper, used for toxins/robotics/xenobio/etc
 	name = "scientific gripper"
@@ -253,9 +310,8 @@
 		/obj/item/slimepotion,
 		/obj/item/slime_extract,
 		/obj/item/reagent_containers/food/snacks/monkeycube,
-		/obj/item/nif
-
-		)
+		/obj/item/nif,
+	)
 
 /obj/item/gripper/circuit
 	name = "circuit assembly gripper"
@@ -274,9 +330,8 @@
 		/obj/item/clothing/ears/circuitry,
 		/obj/item/clothing/suit/circuitry,
 		/obj/item/implant/integrated_circuit,
-		/obj/item/integrated_circuit
-
-		)
+		/obj/item/integrated_circuit,
+	)
 
 /obj/item/gripper/service //Used to handle food, drinks, and seeds.
 	name = "service gripper"
@@ -292,8 +347,8 @@
 		/obj/item/plantspray,
 		/obj/item/reagent_containers/glass,
 		/obj/item/reagent_containers/food/drinks,
-		/obj/item/storage/box/wings
-		)
+		/obj/item/storage/box/wings,
+	)
 
 /obj/item/gripper/gravekeeper	//Used for handling grave things, flowers, etc.
 	name = "grave gripper"
@@ -303,8 +358,22 @@
 	can_hold = list(
 		/obj/item/seeds,
 		/obj/item/grown,
-		/obj/item/material/gravemarker
-		)
+		/obj/item/material/gravemarker,
+	)
+
+/obj/item/gripper/no_use //Used when you want to hold and put items in other things, but not able to 'use' the item
+
+/obj/item/gripper/no_use/attack_self(mob/user, datum/event_args/actor/actor)
+	return
+
+/obj/item/gripper/no_use/organ
+	name = "organ gripper"
+	icon_state = "gripper-flesh"
+	desc = "A specialized grasping tool used to preserve and manipulate organic material."
+
+	can_hold = list(
+		/obj/item/organ,
+	)
 
 /obj/item/gripper/no_use/organ/Entered(var/atom/movable/AM)
 	..()
@@ -318,11 +387,6 @@
 		var/obj/item/organ/O = AM
 		O.unpreserve(GRIPPER_TRAIT)
 
-/obj/item/gripper/no_use //Used when you want to hold and put items in other things, but not able to 'use' the item
-
-/obj/item/gripper/no_use/attack_self(mob/user, datum/event_args/actor/actor)
-	return
-
 /obj/item/gripper/no_use/organ/robotics
 	name = "robotics organ gripper"
 	icon_state = "gripper-flesh"
@@ -332,8 +396,8 @@
 		/obj/item/organ/external,
 		/obj/item/organ/internal/brain, //to insert into MMIs,
 		/obj/item/organ/internal/cell,
-		/obj/item/organ/internal/eyes/robot
-		)
+		/obj/item/organ/internal/eyes/robot,
+	)
 
 /obj/item/gripper/no_use/mech
 	name = "exosuit gripper"
@@ -344,8 +408,8 @@
 		/obj/item/vehicle_part,
 		/obj/item/vehicle_part/micro,
 		/obj/item/vehicle_module,
-		/obj/item/vehicle_tracking_beacon
-		)
+		/obj/item/vehicle_tracking_beacon,
+	)
 
 /obj/item/gripper/no_use/loader //This is used to disallow building with metal.
 	name = "sheet loader"
@@ -353,14 +417,5 @@
 	icon_state = "gripper-sheet"
 
 	can_hold = list(
-		/obj/item/stack/material
-		)
-
-/obj/item/gripper/no_use/organ
-	name = "organ gripper"
-	icon_state = "gripper-flesh"
-	desc = "A specialized grasping tool used to preserve and manipulate organic material."
-
-	can_hold = list(
-		/obj/item/organ
-		)
+		/obj/item/stack/material,
+	)
diff --git a/code/game/rendering/actor_huds/huds/robot_inventory-screen_object.dm b/code/game/rendering/actor_huds/huds/robot_inventory-screen_object.dm
index 48c02cecb14..dfdf6ffbd5c 100644
--- a/code/game/rendering/actor_huds/huds/robot_inventory-screen_object.dm
+++ b/code/game/rendering/actor_huds/huds/robot_inventory-screen_object.dm
@@ -154,6 +154,7 @@
 	name = "drawer"
 	icon = 'icons/screen/hud/styles/common/storage.dmi'
 	icon_state = "block"
+	vis_flags = VIS_INHERIT_LAYER | VIS_INHERIT_PLANE
 	mouse_opacity = MOUSE_OPACITY_ICON
 	var/atom/movable/screen/actor_hud/robot_inventory/robot_drawer_backplate/backplate
 	var/obj/item/masquarading_as
diff --git a/code/modules/economy/machines/mint.dm b/code/modules/economy/machines/mint.dm
index daacc66ee43..48d0559e938 100644
--- a/code/modules/economy/machines/mint.dm
+++ b/code/modules/economy/machines/mint.dm
@@ -439,17 +439,6 @@
 			if(P.contents.len > 0)
 				to_chat(user, "<span class='notice'>Some items are refused.</span>")
 
-	else if(istype(O, /obj/item/gripper)) // Grippers. ~Mechoid.
-		var/obj/item/gripper/B = O	//B, for Borg.
-		if(!B.get_item())
-			to_chat(user, "\The [B] is not holding anything.")
-			return
-		else
-			var/B_held = B.get_item()
-			to_chat(user, "You use \the [B] to put \the [B_held] into \the [src] slot.")
-			attackby(B_held, user)
-		return
-
 	else
 		to_chat(user, "<span class='notice'>\The [O] doesn't fit into the [src] slot.</span>")
 		return 1
diff --git a/code/modules/food/machinery/smartfridge.dm b/code/modules/food/machinery/smartfridge.dm
index d75dd5222df..325a02f60dd 100644
--- a/code/modules/food/machinery/smartfridge.dm
+++ b/code/modules/food/machinery/smartfridge.dm
@@ -160,17 +160,6 @@
 			if(P.contents.len > 0)
 				to_chat(user, "<span class='notice'>Some items are refused.</span>")
 
-	else if(istype(O, /obj/item/gripper)) // Grippers. ~Mechoid.
-		var/obj/item/gripper/B = O	//B, for Borg.
-		if(!B.get_item())
-			to_chat(user, "\The [B] is not holding anything.")
-			return
-		else
-			var/B_held = B.get_item()
-			to_chat(user, "You use \the [B] to put \the [B_held] into \the [src].")
-			attackby(B_held, user)
-		return
-
 	else
 		to_chat(user, "<span class='notice'>\The [src] smartly refuses [O].</span>")
 		return 1
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/death.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/death.dm
index 8c6ce141314..ebc2cd69ec7 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/death.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/death.dm
@@ -12,9 +12,9 @@
 /mob/living/silicon/robot/death(gibbed)
 	if(camera)
 		camera.status = 0
-	var/obj/item/gripper/G = locate(/obj/item/gripper) in contents
-	if(G)
-		G.drop_item()
+	// drop all gripper items
+	for(var/obj/item/gripper/gripper in get_equipped_items())
+		gripper.drop_item()
 	var/obj/item/robot_builtin/dog_sleeper/S = locate(/obj/item/robot_builtin/dog_sleeper) in contents
 	if(S)
 		S.go_out()
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/modules/drone.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/modules/drone.dm
index e36f29f9a45..e98297a857a 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/modules/drone.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/modules/drone.dm
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
 			/obj/item/tool/wirecutters/cyborg,
 			/obj/item/multitool,
 			/obj/item/lightreplacer,
-			/obj/item/gripper,
+			/obj/item/gripper/engineering,
 			/obj/item/mop,
 			/obj/item/gripper/no_use/loader,
 			/obj/item/extinguisher,
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/modules/nanotrasen/engineering.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/modules/nanotrasen/engineering.dm
index ab7418d7162..fd8ffe40569 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/modules/nanotrasen/engineering.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/modules/nanotrasen/engineering.dm
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ GENERATE_ROBOT_MODULE_PRESET(/nanotrasen/engineering)
 			/obj/item/geiger_counter/cyborg,
 			/obj/item/pipe_painter,
 			/obj/item/floor_painter,
-			/obj/item/gripper,
+			/obj/item/gripper/engineering,
 			/obj/item/gripper/no_use/loader,
 			/obj/item/pipe_dispenser,
 			/obj/item/gripper/circuit,
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/robot-composition.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/robot-composition.dm
index b3397b224ea..3e8aa925e99 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/robot-composition.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/robot-composition.dm
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@
 	if(module_provisioning)
 		QDEL_NULL(module_provisioning)
 	if(module_legacy)
-		module_legacy.Reset()
+		module_legacy.Reset(src)
 		QDEL_NULL(module_legacy)
 	// set
 	src.module = module
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/robot-inventory.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/robot-inventory.dm
index a9341d835de..b3ea3c8b95b 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/robot-inventory.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/robot-inventory.dm
@@ -7,10 +7,3 @@
 
 /mob/living/silicon/robot/should_allow_pickup(obj/item/item, datum/event_args/actor/actor, silent)
 	return item in robot_inventory?.provided_items
-
-/mob/living/silicon/robot/is_in_inventory(obj/item/item)
-	return ..() || is_in_inventory_robot(item)
-
-/mob/living/silicon/robot/proc/is_in_inventory_robot(obj/item/item)
-	// Bespoke check that an item is in gripper, as grippers don't count as an inventory slot.
-	return istype(item.loc, /obj/item/gripper) && item.loc.loc == src
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/robot.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/robot.dm
index abc71d65092..487c460677c 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/robot.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/robot.dm
@@ -957,7 +957,7 @@
 						cleaned_human.clean_blood(1)
 						to_chat(cleaned_human, "<font color='red'>[src] cleans your face!</font>")
 
-	for(var/obj/item/storage/bag/ore/ore_bag in inventory.get_held_items())
+	for(var/obj/item/storage/bag/ore/ore_bag in inventory?.get_held_items())
 		if(ore_bag)
 			if(isturf(loc))
 				var/turf/tile = loc
@@ -997,6 +997,11 @@
 		state = 1
 	lockdown = state
 	lockcharge = state
+	if(lockdown)
+		// we still need a better way of prying shit out of these guys
+		// but for now this is fine
+		for(var/obj/item/gripper/gripper in get_equipped_items())
+			gripper.drop_item()
 	update_mobility()
 
 /mob/living/silicon/robot/proc/sensor_mode() //Medical/Security HUD controller for borgs
diff --git a/code/modules/reagents/chemistry/machinery.dm b/code/modules/reagents/chemistry/machinery.dm
index e01cb659e1f..80d91f73fb1 100644
--- a/code/modules/reagents/chemistry/machinery.dm
+++ b/code/modules/reagents/chemistry/machinery.dm
@@ -127,18 +127,6 @@
 		src.updateUsrDialog()
 		return 0
 
-	if(istype(O,/obj/item/gripper))
-		var/obj/item/gripper/B = O	//B, for Borg.
-		if(!B.get_item())
-			to_chat(user, "\The [B] is not holding anything.")
-			return 0
-		else
-			var/B_held = B.get_item()
-			to_chat(user, "You use \the [B] to load \the [src] with \the [B_held].")
-			attackby(B_held, user)
-
-		return 0
-
 	if(!sheet_reagents[O.type] && (!O.reagents || !O.reagents.total_volume))
 		to_chat(user, "\The [O] is not suitable for blending.")
 		return 1