Tools for cutting applications are subject to particularly high loads in the area of the cutting edge. For this reason, wear protection layers have been applied to protect the edges for decades. The stability of a coated edge depends on parameters such as edge geometry, roughness, the material to be machined and the coating material system to be applied. This work deals with the investigation of AlCrN-based multilayer systems and cathodic arc coating processes, which allow a reduction of the cutting edge radius during the deposition process. Thus, it should be possible to consider higher starting radii when selecting tools and to offer coating solutions with a freely adjustable edge geometry.