I used to feel very much that way, and still do, to some extent. Long ago I had a fairly bad accident with a Japanese aikuchi, which has no guard, when my hand slipped forward onto the (VERY sharp) edge.

However, over the years I've handled a number of knives that feel pretty safe to me in that regard even without having a "guard" per se. A lot of it has to do with the shape of the handle and ricasso area. The lack of a guard also helps with the draw (especially from a pouch sheath), and usually adds a bit of flexibility in using the knife. I'm a bit more open minded about the whole thing now.

The TAK is a good case in point- it has no explicit "gaurd", but the handle shape is very good, and I have no hesitation at all in using it. The lack of a guard allows one to more easily "choke up" on it...

But, like many things "knives", it's very much about personal preference.