Cutting tool with enhanced chip evacuation capability and method of making same

A method of manufacturing a milling cutter, said method comprising:

• providing a grinding wheel which has a predetermined profile and is rotatable about an axis different from a longitudinal axis of the milling cutter;
• and
• using the grinding wheel to grind a helical flute into an outer periphery of a cutter blank, via at least a first grinding path and a subsequent, second grinding path;
• wherein, via said first grinding path, the grinding wheel produces a leading face of a first tooth, and a first flute base;
• wherein, via said second grinding path, the grinding wheel produces:
• a flute back, the flute back comprising a second tooth rear face having a different profile than the leading face of the first tooth due to the predetermined profile of the grinding wheel;
• and
• a second flute base;
• whereby a gully of the helical flute is defined by the leading face of the first tooth, the rear face of the second tooth, and the first and second flute bases;
• the gully having a ridge between the first and second flute bases to aid in effective chip evacuation;
• and
• wherein, the first flute base is disposed radially inwardly of the leading face of the first tooth, and the second flute base is disposed radially inwardly of the rear face of the second tooth.