Abstract: The present invention discloses a ceramic cutting tool insert for chip-cutting machining. It comprises a body of generally polygonal or round shape having an upper face, an opposite face and at least one clearance face intersecting upper and lower faces to define cutting edges. The ceramic material is alumina based and comprises at least 10-40 volume % single crystal whiskers and/or platelets of carbides, nitrides and/or borides of Si, Ti, Zr, Hf, Ta and/or Nb or solid solutions thereof. The non-plane chip-forming surfaces of the insert comprise recessions and elevations that are formed in an uniaxial cold pressing operation.