A handheld work apparatus having an electric motor and a drive circuit for the electric motor. The rotation movement of the motor is converted into an oscillating movement of the work tool via a gear mechanism. The motor is situated in a circuit including at least the motor and a switch for operating the motor. To reduce wear of the gear mechanism, a control unit for operating the motor in one of two directions of rotation is provided. The control unit independently determines a selected direction of rotation for a next operating cycle as a function of a control variable. When the motor is started, the motor is started by the control unit in the direction of rotation which is associated with a value of the control variable. The control variable changes before the motor is restarted for a following operating cycle.
