A hand-held band saw for cutting a workpiece, the hand-held band saw comprising: a deck defining a front and a rear, the deck having an opening in the front defining a cut zone and a first deck portion generally located on a first side of the opening and a second deck portion generally located on a second side of the opening; a first wheel supported by the first deck portion; a second wheel supported by the second deck portion; a motor operably coupled to the first wheel; a handle providing a grip for a user to hold the band saw with one hand; a continuous blade supported by the first and second wheels (62, 64), the continuous blade having a cutting edge, wherein the continuous blade includes a first portion positioned in the cut zone for performing a cutting operation and a second portion positioned outside of the cut zone; a blade guard positioned proximate the cutting edge of the second portion of the continuous blade to substantially provide a barrier between the cutting edge and an exterior of the band saw, wherein the blade guard includes a first portion on the first side of the opening of the deck, a second portion on the second side of the opening of the deck, and a third portion connecting the first and second portions proximate the rear of the deck; and a hinged joint between the blade guard and the deck such that the blade guard is movable between open and closed positions with respect to the deck about the hinged joint; a latch comprising a cantilevered spring arm configured to deflect under a force for selectively closing and opening the blade guard with respect to the deck; wherein the first, second, and third portions of the blade guard move as one piece between the open and closed positions with respect to the deck; and wherein the cantilevered spring arm is configured to deflect in cooperation with at least one projection to selectively close and open the blade guard with respect to the deck. a deck defining a front and a rear, the deck having an opening in the front defining a cut zone and a first deck portion generally located on a first side of the opening and a second deck portion generally located on a second side of the opening; a first wheel supported by the first deck portion; a second wheel supported by the second deck portion; a motor operably coupled to the first wheel; a handle providing a grip for a user to hold the band saw with one hand; a continuous blade supported by the first and second wheels (62, 64), the continuous blade having a cutting edge, wherein the continuous blade includes a first portion positioned in the cut zone for performing a cutting operation and a second portion positioned outside of the cut zone; a blade guard positioned proximate the cutting edge of the second portion of the continuous blade to substantially provide a barrier between the cutting edge and an exterior of the band saw, wherein the blade guard includes a first portion on the first side of the opening of the deck, a second portion on the second side of the opening of the deck, and a third portion connecting the first and second portions proximate the rear of the deck; and a hinged joint between the blade guard and the deck such that the blade guard is movable between open and closed positions with respect to the deck about the hinged joint; a latch comprising a cantilevered spring arm configured to deflect under a force for selectively closing and opening the blade guard with respect to the deck; wherein the first, second, and third portions of the blade guard move as one piece between the open and closed positions with respect to the deck; and wherein the cantilevered spring arm is configured to deflect in cooperation with at least one projection to selectively close and open the blade guard with respect to the deck.