The newer siding will not cut this way with out breaking.
How to safely cut asbestos siding.
Cut a 45 degree bevel onto the edge joint of asbestos cement siding with a large carpenter s rasp.
Have a helper move a running hose to follow the rasp while cutting.
Cut asbestos cement corrugated roofing material with a pair of heavy dolphin nosed tin snips.
If necessary carefully lift siding pieces with pry tool to expose nail heads.
Remove pieces of siding by pulling nails or cutting nail heads so as to minimize breakage.
Use a hand saw with a water stream and wear a good quality dust mask.
Asbestos dust which is what would be created by sawing it is the dangerous part.
Use slow deliberate strokes to keep dust down.
Asbestos shingles are relatively strong but brittle.
Breakage releases asbestos fibers.
Asbestos siding as it is on a house is perfectly safe.
The old style siding could be cut with a knife as the above poster stated make your score and lay on bench with the score on the edge of the bench and pop the shingle to snap it.
Covering old asbestos shingles with new siding may seem like an option too but it s not easy to do safely.
If siding should begin to crack or crumble immediately wet the cracked or broken areas with the pint size spray bottle or garden pump sprayer.
Let the siding dry then prime and paint with the best exterior latex you can find.
If you absolutely have to cut it do not use power tools.
Cut a 45 degree bevel onto the edge joint of asbestos cement siding with a large carpenter s rasp.
Have a helper move a running hose to follow the rasp while cutting.
Use slow deliberate strokes with the saw under water trickling from a hose pipe.