A cutting tool for machining metallic materials has at least one cutting portion having a cartridge and a cartridge pocket for mounting cutting inserts to the cutting tool. The cartridge pocket has a top surface, a rear supporting surface and a bottom supporting surface. The top surface of the cartridge pocket has one or more serrated projecting portions. The cartridge has an insert pocket, a top surface, a first side surface and a bottom surface. The insert pocket of the cartridge receives a cutting insert. The top surface of the cartridge has one or more outwardly sloped surfaces and one or more inwardly sloped surfaces. The outwardly sloped surfaces mate with the serrated projecting portions. The inwardly sloped surfaces have a gap with respect to the projecting portions of the cartridge pocket.