Ball nose end mills

A solid ball nose tool comprising a hard material with 30-70 volume % submicron hard TiN constituents in a metallic matrix of high speed steel, the tool having a cutting edge at an axial end thereof, the cutting edge extending along an end radius away from a center of the tool, the cutting edge having a constant positive rake angle along the end radius of +8.+-.2.degree. and a continuously decreasing clearance angle towards the center, the clearance angle being 10.+-.2.degree. at the center, the clearance and rake angles being measured in a plane perpendicular to the cutting edge, the cutting edge including edge rounding, the edge rounding decreasing continuously from 10-30 .mu.m at an outer periphery of the cutting edge to <10 .mu.m at the center, the clearance angle at the outer periphery ranging from 17.+-.2.degree. to 12.+-.2.degree..