a cutting tool having a cutting plate with at least one blade and a central axial hole through which a head screw can be used to connect the cutting plate to a holder having an axial bore through its center for receiving the screw and a recess around the bore for receiving a complimentary projection located around the central hole of the cutting plate which is longer than the recess is deep . alternate embodiments are provided in which the projection is located on the holder and the recess in the face of the cutting plate . in all embodiments , the recess and projection have contacting surfaces which substantially eliminate axial forces on the head screw .