Abstract: A handheld machine tool is disclosed. The tool has a tool receiving area and a striking mechanism. The striking mechanism contains a striker, an exciter, and a pneumatic chamber. The striker strikes an intermediate striker at the strike point. The exciter is driven between a first dead center at a distance from the strike point and a second dead center in the vicinity of the strike point. A housing, which is encapsulated in an air-tight manner, has an interior which is closed by an exciter end face facing away from the striker. The interior is connected to the pneumatic chamber by a first valve which can be closed by the striker and by a second valve which can be closed by the exciter. The first valve is arranged in the vicinity of the strike point and the second valve is arranged in the vicinity of the first dead center.