What does the cryptic crossword clue "What are essential pens like being gripped? (6)" mean?

The definition is "What are essential". The wordplay uses a container (one word inside another). AS (synonym="”like” taken inside/”gripped”") in BICS (synonym="”pens” of the BIC brand") = BASICS; definition: "What are essential" The answer is BASICS.

What are essential pens like being gripped? (6)

Guardian Cryptic #29204 | 1 Down | 2023-10-18 flower

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