Can you cut the shaft of a shock?

[kevinkay]

I am replacing rear shock. First one came apart very easy. Second one - the shaft is rusted in the mount. When I wack it or try to twist it out - the rubber flexes. I want to reuse the mount, but if I can't then at least reuse the bumper and dust cover because I was told the plastic ring that locks the dust cover needs to be special
Ordered. So I thought I would just saz-all the shaft, but my fear is that it's hardened and would just burn up the blades. Anyone ever tried?
I put it back on the car and driving one new and one old until the weekend.