The invention relates to a hand-operated tool, particularly pruning shears, comprising a slim, elongate handle which is provided with at least two handle sections that can be telescopically slid into each other. At least one movable working device is provided in a terminal area of a first handle section while at least one actuating grip which is mounted so as to be movable relative to a second handle section is provided on a terminal area of the second handle section facing away from the terminal area of the first handle section. Said actuating grip is connected to the working device with the aid of a flexible traction means in order to allow actuating forces to be transmitted to the working device. According to the invention, the traction means is deflected on adjacent front areas of the handle sections to ensure compensation of the length of the traction means when the length of the tool handle is modified. The invention applies to garden tools.
