Abstract: A retractable blade guard which protects the operator from the blade of a rotary saw or other cutters. The guard includes two moveable cam-action guard sections of similar design mounted on the opposite ends of a conventional hood guard. Each section includes an obverse leaf rigidly connected to a reverse leaf by a rod and a guard extension. Each guard section moves independently of the other. The guard section rides up, onto and on top of, and down over the fence or the stock as it is being cut in either direction during cross-cutting, mitering or ripping, yet provides optimal coverage of the blade in the cutting zone.