A hand held coring device (10) for removing the core from a piece of fruit such as an apple and, pear, or the like is disclosed. The device is constructed of a tube (14) having a wall (22), a central bore (24), first and second ends (26, 28), and at least two slots (36) defined within the wall of the tube. The slots (36) preferably extend from the first end of the tube to an area proximate to the second end. Additionally, the second end has a cutting edge (32) for penetrating and cutting the fruit. The present corer has a plunger (16) which is slidably positioned within the central bore of the tube and is linked, via at least two tab connectors (48), to an outer ring (54) slidably positioned about a portion of the exterior of the tube. A movable guard (86) to protect the cutting edge at the second end, where the guard includes the outer ring slidably positioned about a portion of the exterior of the tube is also featured.