Abstract: The present invention relates to a microtome (10) including a first shaft (12) which is arranged in a fixed position and capable of being driven by a handwheel and which has a first gear wheel (14) non-rotatably mounted thereon. The microtome (10) further includes a second shaft (16) which is arranged in a fixed position and has a second gear wheel (18) non-rotatably mounted thereon. The first gear wheel (14) and the second gear wheel (18) are coupled to each other via a transmission unit (20), so that the second shaft (16) can be driven by the first shaft (12). In a first position of the transmission unit (20), the two shafts (12, 16) are rotatable in the same direction, while in a second transmission position, they are rotatable in opposite directions.