a dispenser carton for continuous - length material , such as plastic film , is disclosed . the carton includes an integral cutting assembly or a cutting assembly on a separate board which may be fitted into operating position during carton use . a deflectable protective guard or shield for the cutting edge of the assembly is included , which normally resiliently rests in a protective posture against and overlapping the cutting edge . it is adapted to be temporarily deflected to facilitate normal cutting of the dispensed material and to be spontaneously returned to its protective posture during non - use of the carton . the guard is a relatively stiff flexible tape sandwiched between the cutting edge and its supporting board stock so that the tape may not be readily removed without destroying the function of the cutting edge . the preferred method of assembling the cutting assembly consists of supplying a cutter element having a serrated longitudinal edge and a protective guard tape , both in continuous strip form , and feeding the cutter , the guard tape and appropriate board stock longitudinally through an assembly station which stakes the components together as they are passed through the stations .