A saw with a pivotal guard which can pivot from a first position surrounds at least a portion of the lower edge of the saw blade to a second retracted position where the portion of the lower edge of the saw blade is exposed. A biasing mechanism may be provided for biasing the pivotal guard towards the first position. A pivotal guard actuating mechanism is capable of moving the pivotal guard from the first position to the second retracted position. The pivotal guard actuation mechanism includes a hand lever, a cam mechanism comprising a cam and cam follower connected between the hand lever and the pivotal guard wherein the cam is connected to the pivotal guard and the cam follower is connected to the hand lever.