EXHIBIT 16

Office of the Chief Accountant
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC  20549



May 1, 2002

Dear Sir or Madam,

We have read Paragraphs 1 through 5 of Item 4 included in the Form 8-K dated May
1, 2002 of Kennametal Inc. to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and are in agreement with the statements contained therein.

Very truly yours,

/s/  Arthur Andersen LLP
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     Arthur Andersen LLP

Copy to:
Mr. F. Nicholas Grasberger III, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Kennametal Inc.