The variable force lopper comprises a metal plate having a first pivot point, a forwardly extending blade and a rearwardly extending tang provided with a second pivot point spaced apart from the first pivot point by a predetermined distance. It also has a first elongated member pivotally connected to the plate at the first pivot point, the first member having a forwardly extending jaw configured to cooperate with the blade to sever a workpiece received in a bight formed by the jaw, a rearwardly extending arm, and a first gear segment intermediate the jaw and the arm. There is a second elongated member having a rearwardly extending portion and an opposed second gear segment, the second member being pivotally connected to the plate at the second pivot point so that the first and second gear segments are intermeshing in first and second regions, respectively. The second gear segment is configured such that a second distance separating the second pivot point from the second region is smallest at a predetermined point of blade travel across the bight.
