Abstract: A ratchet wrench featuring a remote switch button located within the shank adjacent to the hand grip, for alternately changing the direction of ratcheting action upon successive actuation of the switch. The novelty resides in the uniqueness of the pawl shifting mechanism, and the pawl. The pawl has first and second toothed portions on one side, and transversely located on the other side is a second pawl camming surface having two inclined detent surfaces located beneath a first pawl camminig surface having specially contoured surfaces. The pawl shifting mechanism consisting of an actuator such as a leaf spring, a slide switch, button return spring, and a pawl detent, operate to engage the pawl's first and second camming surfaces, for positioning the pawl's toothed portions into contact with the ratchet gear at any one of two opposite positions.