Abstract: A cutterbar for a crop harvesting machine having narrow pitch guard prongs and knife points. The guard prongs are formed on guard sections, and the knife points are formed on knife sections, wherein the guard sections include a plurality of prongs and the knife sections include a plurality of points and symmetrically arranged mounting holes allow mounting the guard sections on a conventional bar back. The knife sections include form-beveled and serrated knife edges, together with fastener assemblies for connecting the knife sections to the knife back such as to permit easy replacement of damaged knife sections. A drive assembly for the knife bar applies reciprocating action to the knife bar. Feeder shields protect the drive assembly and enhance the feed of crop to the collecting auger.