A switching-on device for a general-purpose cutter having an electrical drive has a key element (2) for operating an on/off switch and a spring-loaded safety device to prevent the switch being closed inadvertently. In order to achieve operator-friendly operation without any additional tools which can be lost, the on/off switch is constructed as a snap-action switch (13), an operating arm (6) which is connected to the key element (2) is provided in order to operate the snap-action switch (13), and the key element (2) and operating arm (6) are constructed such that they are guided in a manner such that pressing the key element (2) does not cause the snap-action switch (13) to switch on until subsequent pushing of the key element (2) against a growing spring resistance causes the snap-action switch (13) to switch on. Continuous switching-on can be achieved by means of a latching device on the operating arm (6). <IMAGE>
