A blade tensioner comprising a blade shoe, a sliding surface with a first and a second side, a ratchet rod attached to the distal end of the blade shoe having a length of teeth, and a spring clip for receiving the ratchet rod and being slidable along the second side of the sliding surface. When the slack on the chain increases, a distal end of the blade shoe pivots and slides on the first side of the sliding surface, and the spring clip slides on the second side of the sliding surface a distance limited by the engagement of the tab of the spring clip with the corresponding indentation on the second side of the sliding surface and the edge of the spring clip engages the teeth of the ratchet rod.