The present invention is related to a retarding device for a hand held cutting machine having a housing (1) and a drive engine, which drives a transmission including a number of transmission members (3′, 2) and driving a rotational or semi rotational cutting tool. The retarding device includes brake means (12, 17) arranged to be in close relation with the transmission and for actuating a retarding force on a transmission member (2), the brake means being arranged to automatically put a retarding force on said transmission member when the speed of rotation or the torque of rotation of said transmission member falls below a predetermined value.