The Portable Table Saw

The splitter is a fin-shaped piece of steel as thick at its widest point as the width of the saw kerf. Situated beyond the saw blade, the splitter separates the wood to prevent the stock from binding on the blade. Most new saws also have anti-kickback fingers, metal grippers that help prevent the work piece from being propelled backwards and hitting the sawyer.

Use the guards. Period. There are already more than enough carpenters and cabinetmakers, professional and amateur, with incomplete sets of digits thanks to the power saws of the world.