Ratchet blade changer for hand pruner

A method for adjusting a pivoted tool comprising:

• providing a first and second handles, each handle having a jaw member extending therefrom, the first and second handles being pivotally secured to one another with a threaded pivot threadably engaged with one of the handles;
• providing a ratchet assembly attached to the threaded pivot;
• linking the ratchet assembly to the handles;
• tightening the threaded pivot by rotating the threaded pivot in one direction relative to the one of the handles by movement of the handles toward or away from one another.

A hand pruner comprising:

• first and second handles;
• first and second blades operatively secured to the first and second handles respectively;
• a pivot connecting the first and second handles;
• and
• a three position ratchet operatively engaged with the pivot and coupled to the first handle with a lever, wherein movement of the first handle toward and away from the second handle pivots a ratchet gear in a first and second directions about the pivot;
• the ratchet being adjustable between a first position in which movement of the first handle toward the second handle rotates the pivot relative to the handles in a first direction, to a second position in which movement of the first handle away from the second handle rotates the pivot in a second direction opposite the first direction, the ratchet including a third neutral position in which movement of the handles toward and away from one another does not rotate the pivot relative to the handles.