A handheld work apparatus has a drive motor which drives a tool of the work apparatus. A lubricating arrangement is provided for the tool. The lubricating arrangement includes a lubricant piece that is solid at 20° C. The work apparatus has a melting chamber into which the lubricant piece projects and which is connected to the tool via at least one lubricant channel. The melting chamber is delimited at least partially by a heat conducting element which is heated during operation of the work apparatus.