A hand operated cutting tool (10) includes a first cutting member (20)； a first handle (12) including a second cutting member (18), wherein the second cutting member (18) is coupled to the first cutting member (20) and includes a first set of projections (30)； and a second handle (12) including a lever (16), wherein the lever (16) is coupled to the first cutting member (20) and includes a second set of projections (32). The first and second handles (12) are movable between a full open position and a full closed position, wherein during a first region of travel proximate the full open position the first and second set of projections (30, 32) are disengaged, and during a second region of travel proximate the full closed position the first and second set of projections (30, 32) are at least partly engaged.
