Handle apparatus on a power tool, in particular a chipping hammer, having a drive, a control device, a transmission device, wherein the handle apparatus contains a lever element that is pivotable relative to a housing of the power tool. The lever element is movable reversibly relative to the housing of the power tool by exertion of a force in one direction, and a sensor device is contained for sensing at least one first or second position of the lever element relative to the housing of the power tool, wherein a first rotational speed value for the drive is settable depending on the first sensed position of the lever element relative to the housing of the power tool or at least one second rotational speed value for the drive is settable depending on the second sensed position of the lever element relative to the housing of the power tool.