A hedge trimmer blade assembly preferably a double acting assembly having upper and lower reciprocating blades. Superimposed cutting teeth extend laterally from the sides of the assembly from each of the blades. Guard portions extend from the teeth of the upper blade only on one side and from the teeth of the lower blade only on the other side. The guard portions are asymmetrical with a straight side and a tapered side, the taper preferably including a shallow bevel near the base and a sharper bevel near the tip of the guard portion. The cutting teeth of both upper and lower blades on both sides form oval shaped cutting chambers with cooperative hook configurations at the entry to the cutting chambers. The upper and lower blades are preferably identical in configuration but inverted one relative to the other in the assembly. The straight sides of the guard portions are all faced toward the power head of the trimmer to produce a hooking action as the user sweeps the trimmer during operation.
