Abstract: A cutting device is disclosed having an angled lifter blade with flat co-planar keepers on each side which is adapted to pass through or under a layer of asphalt or soil cement and cut a narrow trench without disruption or upheaval of the side edges of the trench. The cutting device is carried by a prime mover and is capable of making a clean cut or trench through asphalt layers of various thicknesses along straight or curved paths of travel. The side keepers may be vertically adjustable along a supporting shank in relation to the lifter blade and the length of the blade may be varied to adjust to differing thicknesses of the layer to be cut. The side keepers are spaced from each other by the sides of the lifter blade to define therewith a pair of cutting edges, one of which is at an angle to the horizontal or grade of the asphalt layer and the other of which is substantially flush with the top surface of the asphalt.