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 ; a continuous blade supported by the first and second wheels , 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 formed as a separate piece from the deck and positioned proximate the cutting edge of the second portion of the continuous blade outside of the cut zone to substantially provide a barrier between the cutting edge outside of the cut zone and an exterior of the band saw ; a hinged joint to couple the blade guard to the deck such that the blade guard is pivotally movable with respect to the deck between a closed position and an open position, wherein the pivotally movable blade guard substantially covers the continuous blade except the portion of the continuous blade positioned in the cut zone ; a pair of latches each comprising a cantilevered spring arm configured to deflect under a force for selectively closing and opening the blade guard with respect to the deck ; and wherein the cantilevered spring arms are configured to deflect in cooperation with at least one respective 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 ; a continuous blade supported by the first and second wheels , 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 formed as a separate piece from the deck and positioned proximate the cutting edge of the second portion of the continuous blade outside of the cut zone to substantially provide a barrier between the cutting edge outside of the cut zone and an exterior of the band saw ; a hinged joint to couple the blade guard to the deck such that the blade guard is pivotally movable with respect to the deck between a closed position and an open position, wherein the pivotally movable blade guard substantially covers the continuous blade except the portion of the continuous blade positioned in the cut zone ; a pair of latches each comprising a cantilevered spring arm configured to deflect under a force for selectively closing and opening the blade guard with respect to the deck ; and wherein the cantilevered spring arms are configured to deflect in cooperation with at least one respective projection to selectively close and open the blade guard with respect to the deck . <EOS>