An investigation is reported of the face turning process for machining or hardened bearing steel using CBN cutting tools. Studies were made of the specific energy, the chips generated, the tool inserts, and the machined surfaces. The specific cutting energy was found to be directly related to the maximum undeformed chip thickness, which is attributed to plowing along the engaged cutting edge. Most of the chips generated were saw-toothed, which can account for the relatively large chip area ratios.