an improved slip and slip assembly for use with well tools such as anchors . the slip assemblies include a plurality of slips having ends formed by segments of circles , having a concave outer surface including teeth arranged to hold in both the upwardly and outwardly directions , and concave expander surfaces arranged to mate with the tapered surfaces of expanders on a well tool to move the slips into engagement with the well bore wall . the slips are held in the assembled relationship by a plurality of garter springs that extend through arcuate holes that extend through the sidewalls of the slips .