Celebrating Kennametal’s Legacy in Turning

Kennametal Turning Tool and historical images

For more than 85 years, Kennametal has pioneered turning technology. As we celebrate our rich legacy in turning, we are equally proud of our commitment to innovation that helps our customers run longer, cut faster and machine with greater precision. To celebrate this incredible journey, Kennametal is having a custom toolbox giveaway that’s filled with great turning tools and branded merchandise.

Kennametal’s legacy of innovation began in 1938, when visionary metallurgist Philip M. McKenna revolutionized the industry with his groundbreaking tungsten-titanium carbide alloy that allowed customers to machine metal at rates never imagined. Since then, we’ve been on an unstoppable journey—pushing the boundaries of turning technology. From pioneering advanced insert designs to engineering high-performance turning tools, our relentless pursuit of excellence has made us a trusted partner to manufacturers around the globe. Fueled by innovation and driven by quality, we’re proud to lead the way in shaping the future of machining.

“When you look at Kennametal’s legacy in turning, it’s really a story of pushing limits,” says Scott Etling, Vice President of Global Product Management. “From the start, we’ve asked: how can we go beyond the expected - beyond standard tooling - to help our customers machine smarter, faster and stronger? Whether it’s aircraft components or life-saving medical devices, our mission is the same: take cutting-edge ideas and turn them into solutions that work on the shop floor.”

Grades in the Making

With deep expertise in developing cutting-edge coatings and grades for turning solutions, Kennametal continually sets the standard for innovation and new technology. It all began in 1972 with the launch of our KC75 physical vapor deposition (PVD) grade, followed by the KC710 chemical vapor deposition (CVD) grade in 1985 – achievements that paved the way for more advancements.

As our PVD and CVD technologies evolved, they culminated in the creation of KENGold,™ a premium coating solution available in both PVD and CVD processes and engineered to meet the demands of next-generation machining.

The legacy continues with KCP25C, a standout CVD grade featuring an advanced MT-TiCN/Alumina CVD coating. It’s designed for durability and precision, and helps reduce waste by making it easier to spot worn or unused edges when machining carbon, alloy and various other steels.

Complementing everything is our high-performance KCU10B and KCU25B PVD grades. Both deliver outstanding resistance to thermal deformation edge wear across all material groups. KCU10B is the harder, more wear-resistant option, while KCU25B is tougher, catering to different machining needs. These grades excel in machining steels, stainless steels, cast iron and high-temp alloys.

“Turning grades are the backbone of precision machining,” says Etling. “Each new generation improves on the last, ensuring every cut is precise, every edge is resilient, and every operation is efficient. These grades aren’t just materials—they’re engineered solutions that deliver superior performance and durability.”

KCU25B Inserts in a Variety of Toolholders

Precision Tooling at Every Turn

Along with its line of grades, Kennametal is renowned for its precision tooling and turning tools, offering a wide range of solutions for various applications such as outside and inside diameter turning, cut-off, grooving and profiling. These tooling systems are among the latest innovations that Kennametal continues to champion.

TopSwiss™ ISO Turning Inserts

  • Designed for low-feed, high depth-of-cut Swiss-type and small parts applications
  • Featuring straight and curved cutting edges for increased edge strength
  • Polished finishing geometries for increased welding resistance and smooth chip flow
  • Wiper geometries for increased feed rates and superior surface quality

Beyond Evolution™

  • Grooving and cut-off tool that also performs multi-directional turning
  • Triple-V seating has three points of contact for stability and minimal vibration
  • Directs coolant across the top of the insert to the cutting zone underneath the chips

 

Kennametal TopSwiss Inserts and tool holders

The Future

The story of continuous improvement is always at the forefront of Kennametal's turning technologies. With that in mind, we look forward to celebrating 60 years of our Top Notch grooving, threading and profiling platform featuring the KCU10B and KCU25B PVD grades. Designed for shallow depth turning operations, Top Notch™ is built to endure the harshest environments

Kennametal Top Notch Grooving for Profiling Inserts in grade KCU10B

Win a Custom Toolbox Equipped with Inserts

To celebrate our legacy and show our appreciation for your continued support, we're giving away a custom toolbox equipped with our most popular turning tools and exclusive Kennametal brand merchandise. This unique toolbox is not only a work of art, but it is also a practical addition to your workshop. Enter the giveaway.

Conclusion

New to Kennametal or a long-time partner? Either way, we’re ready to power your machining success with next-level solutions and unwavering support – now and decades into the future. 

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