Pruners and loppers have dual mode operation in that the blade (16) is closed with a single squeeze or with multiple squeezes and a rotatable selector selects the desired mode. The blade (16) has a rocker arm (18) with a ratchet teeth (30) formed in a window (26) in the arm (18). The scissors handle has a radius arm which ends in a pawl which can engage the ratchet nearer the pivot axis of the blade (16) or further from it.