A portable cutting tool includes a blade and a motor for driving the blade to rotate. The motor has a motor output shaft. A guard assembly includes an upper guard and a lower guard which is used for receiving the motor. A base is connected to the upper guard. The base further includes a front portion connected to the upper guard, a rear portion extending longitudinally, and a gripping portion disposed between the front portion and the rear portion. The blade shaft is perpendicular to the motor output shaft.