Abstract: An improved guard is provided for flexible cutting element devices such as lawn trimmers. The guard extends above the cutting planed formed by the circular travel of the flexible cutting element. The flexible cutting element is allowed to extend past the perimeter of the guard, such that the cutting action created by the travel of the cutting element occurs immediately past the edge of the guard. A cutter may be provided outside of the perimeter of the guard and extending into the plane formed by the rotation of the cutting element to function as a cutter for setting the length of a cutting element being used. The guard may be formed as a single piece or as a composite which when assembled encircles the center assembly of the cutting device.