Abstract: A hand crimping tool includes a fixed mandrel (6), a moveable mandrel (8), and an operating mechanism (16) for the moveable mandrel (8). The operating mechanism (16) comprises a rotatable lever (18) having a cam surface (22A), which engages a cam surface (8B) on the moveable mandrel (8). The lever (18) also has a ratchet (24) engageable by a pawl (b 26). The ratchet teeth and the cam surface are formed so that the pawl (26) will only release when the cam surface (22A) has reached a predetermined position.