Long nail to clutch quickly (8)

I believe the answer is:

holdfast

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'long nail' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'clutch quickly' is the wordplay.
'clutch' becomes 'hold' (synonyms).
'quickly' becomes 'fast' (synonyms).
'hold'+'fast'='HOLDFAST'

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for holdfast that I've seen is " Catch".)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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