A surgical fastener applying apparatus (10) includes a cartridge-receiving assembly (60) and a cartridge assembly (100) releasably engagable therewith. The cartridge assembly includes a housing (102) and a knife assembly (150) having a knife (160) translatable from an initial position to a deployed position and a knife guard (170) pivotable between a storage position, wherein the knife guard substantially encloses the knife member, and a use position, wherein the knife member is exposed for translation through the housing. The knife guard engages to the knife member such that translation of the knife member rotates the guard to the use position.
