A laser hardened knife guard is provided. In one aspect, the invention provides for a knife guard that comprises a guard body that further comprises a base material. The base material includes a mounting bar that defines at least one bolt hole and at least one tine projecting forward from the mounting bar. The base material has a first hardness. A laser treated material is formed into or in the base material. The laser treated material comprises a second hardness greater than the first hardness.
