The invention relates to pruning shears (100) comprising cutting head (200) with a spring-biased blade (201) pivotally connected to a jaw (202) arranged to sever a workpiece received in a bight (203) formed by the jaw (202). A drive mechanism (300) is connected to the cutting head (200) and an elongate housing (400) is connected to the drive mechanism (300). The drive mechanism (300) comprises a rotation prevention means for preventing rotation of a second pulley in relation to the drive mechanism (300) when a drawing torque is applied to the second pulley, wherein the drawing torque is greater than a threshold torque, resulting in a second pulley being stationary in relation to the drive mechanism (300) and the first pulley rotating in relation to the drive mechanism (300).
