Arbortech ALLSAW redefines in-ground cutting tools

The Arbortech ALLSAW, a tool originally designed for precision masonry work in building restoration, is now being positioned as a multi-tool for landscaping and in-ground cutting. It cuts through soil, roots, turf, and even frozen ground.

Its masonry applications came later.

Company representatives say the tool is a versatile alternative to chainsaws, reciprocating saws, and gas cut-off saws. The ALLSAW was first created as a safer way to cut into the ground without the kickback risk of a chainsaw. Engineers discovered it could handle brick and block removal with less silica dust.

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Arbortech sees the current push into landscaping as a return to the original purpose. The firm draws a parallel to the oscillating multi-tool.

When Fein introduced its first model, it was a specialized tool for automotive cutting. Over time, new accessories expanded its use. The ALLSAW followed a similar path, the manufacturer says. What began as a safer alternative to chainsaws later found its way into building restoration.

How the ALLSAW evolved from a niche masonry tool

Professional landscapers often struggle with root cutting. Chainsaw teeth dull quickly in soil. Reciprocating saws with carbide blades hold up better but are awkward to position around roots. The ALLSAW’s perpendicular blade design allows the user to cut straight down through roots rather than attacking from the side, which they say is more efficient.

Turf cutting and trenching get a new option

While developing the cordless version of the ALLSAW, the manufacturer worked with a professional football organization. The team had been using gas cut-off saws to cut field turf. Those tools are heavy, noisy, hard to start, and produce hot exhaust that can burn grass along seams. The ALLSAW, with purpose-built turf blades, is lighter and poses no risk of heat damage to the turf.

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Because turf cutting is not power-intensive, a single battery can last a full day, according to the firm. The same approach works for trenching. Burying cable, running irrigation lines, or installing lighting often requires digging narrow trenches. The ALLSAW can do that quickly, and if roots are encountered, the blade can be swapped from turf to wood.

They have trenching-specific blades and an extension pole in development.

For hardscape work — cutting concrete, asphalt, or removing polymeric sand from paver joints — the ALLSAW uses a chipping action rather than abrasive grinding. They claim this produces 90% less respirable crystalline silica dust than grinders or cut-off saws, reducing health risks for crews.

Beyond landscaping: farms, golf courses, and municipalities

They see potential in sectors beyond landscaping.

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Farms and ranches, golf courses, college campuses, utility companies, tree care specialists, outdoor lighting contractors, and municipalities all perform similar in-ground cutting tasks. Even smaller-scale operations like cemeteries, dock builders, and pest abatement crews could benefit, the manufacturer says.

While the claims are based on internal demonstrations and customer feedback, some industry observers note that the ALLSAW’s performance in heavy clay or rocky soil has not been independently verified. The tool is priced as a specialty item, and landscapers accustomed to dedicated equipment may be skeptical about whether one tool can replace several. Still, the concept of a single tool that handles root cutting, turf cutting, and masonry work with less dust and fewer battery changes is hard to ignore.

They say the ALLSAW does not sacrifice performance for versatility — they claim the tool performs each job better than the dedicated tools it replaces. Whether that holds up in daily use across different soil types and conditions remains to be seen, but they are betting that landscapers and other professionals will give it a try.