Dual pawl ratchet mechanism

A ratchet mechanism comprises a pawl carrier 336 that causes selection of one of first and second drive directions, the pawl carrier having opposing first and second 358 sides, and first and second grooves 344a and 344b respectively disposed in the first and second sides. First and second pawls 308, 310 selectively engage a toothed portion of a ratchet gear to select one of the drive directions, wherein each of the pawls includes pawl teeth 322 and a projection 346 extending outwardly in a direction away from the pawl teeth, wherein the projection respectively engage the first and second grooves when the carrier is rotated to cause one of the pawl to disengage the toothed portion and the other to engage the toothed portion. Further provided is a tool with a head portion having a cavity, a ratchet gear disposed in the cavity and having a drive portion and a toothed portion, the pawl carrier 356 and the first and second pawls 308, 310.