manner described initially fig1 and 12 depict an alternative construction of the shielding element 7 and of the housing 2 which permit arresting of the shielding element 7 and thus of the driving member 10 and the cutting head 11 mounted on the latter in either the extended or in the retracted position of the same in this instance the housing 2 is provided with a generally c shaped slot having two end portions 51 and 52 that are slightly inclined opposite to the course of the slot 50 as they proceed circumferentially away from such course a pin shaped handle 53 is mounted on the shielding element 7 and extends substantially radially outwardly from the latter in the interior of the housing 2 and through and outwardly beyond the slot 50 the handle 53 can be used for displacing the shielding element 7 between its extended and retracted positions but it has to be manipulated first to get it out of the respective end portion 51 or 52 into the main course of the slot 50 such manipulation requires a deliberate effort on the part of the user of the grooming device 1 and does not occur inadvertently especially when the end portions 51 and 52 extend in the direction of rotation of.