Abstract: A lever-type load binder is disclosed in which the necessary force to draw the ends of the binder together is provided by a pivoting lever element. The binder employs a handle for tensioning and releasing the binder. The handle and lever element are constructed so that the handle positively engages the lever element to pivot the lever element on the tensioning stroke. However, the handle is employed merely to trigger the release stroke by rotating the lever element through dead center while the handle is out of the path of travel of the lever element. Because of this feature, the user is not endangered by a "flyback" of the handle when the binder is released.