A handheld work apparatus has an internal combustion engine (14, 44, 94) which has a crankshaft (15, 45, 95) which, in turn, drives a work tool of the work apparatus. The work apparatus has a first component group which includes the crankshaft (15, 45, 95) and which is driven in a first rotational direction (10, 40, 70, 90). In order to hold the gyroscopic forces low which act during operation, the work apparatus has a second component group which includes the work tool and which is driven in a second rotational direction (11, 41, 71, 91) opposite to the first rotational direction (10, 40, 70, 90).