This study presents a procedure for analyzing chip-tool friction and shear processes in 3-D cutting with a single point tool. The edge of a single point tool including a circular nose is modified to an equivalent straight edge, thereby reducing the 3-D cutting with a single point tool to the equivalent of oblique cutting. Then, by transforming the conventional coordinate systems and using the measurements of three cutting force components, the force components on the rake face and shear plane of the equivalent oblique cutting system can be obtained. As a result, the chip-tool friction and shear characteristics of 3-D cutting with a single point tool can be assessed.