Simplification of shearing angle determination during chip formation and improving the determination of chip-edge contact length with the corresponding derivation of new calculation empirical formulas. Methodology. The study is based on the use of analytical and probabilistic methods for calculating the shearing angle during chip formation, the shearing angle according to an empirical formula based on the cutting force components under a fine edge and a constant value of the friction-shift ratio, which adequately corresponds to the value of the most common formula based on the chip thickening ratio. Results. The formulas for determining the shearing angle during chip formation are obtained. Value constancy of the friction-shift ratio for certain groups of steels has been determined. Compared to steel 45 more ductile austenitic steel 12Х18Н9Т has lower values of the friction-shift ratio. The length formula of the chip-edge contact based on the chip texture angle compared to the formula based on the chip thickening (shortening) ratio has a difference of more adequately accounting for the impact of the build-up forming phenomenon and increased metal deformation at negative rake angles. In the wake of cutting speed and rake angle rising there is a corresponding increase in the shearing angle and reduction in the contact length of chip with edge. Scientific novelty. Functional dependances for determining the shearing angle during chip formation have been developed, which is achieved by introducing empirical dependences of the cutting force components under a fine edge on the operating and geometrical parameters of the cutting process, by establishing a constant value of the friction-shift ratio in the shear plane and corresponding formula derivation for determining the shearing angle, which excludes in each case time-consuming experiments to determine the shearing angle through the chip thickening ratio or holding the dynamometer test of the cutting force components. Practical value. The use of empirical formulas for calculating the shearing angle and in the contact length of chip with edge on the basis of cutting force components under a fine edge makes it possible to exclude the experimental determination of the chip thickening ratio, and for account of "backward" calculation method of the cutting force components under a fine edge to refuse the timeconsuming dynamometer test of the cutting force components in each case.