Testing parameters characterizing acoustic emission (AE) detected during metal cutting may be theoretically correlated, in a simple manner, to work material properites, cutting conditions, and tool geometry. Experimental results, obtained during turning by different researchers using different AE techniques, are presented and critically assessed with reference to their reciprocal agreement as well as their agreement with theoretical predictions. A review of current methods for AE analysis is also presented and the correlations between different AE parameters and energy and power of the detected signals are reported.