Stress state of chip formation zone is one of the main problems in metal cutting mechanics. In two-dimensional case this process is usually considered as consistent shears of work material along one of several shear surfaces, separating chip from workpiece. These shear planes are assumed to be trajectories of maximum shear stress forming corresponding slip-line field. This paper suggests a new approach to the constriction of slip-line field, which implies uniform compression in chip formation zone. Based on the given model it has been found that imaginary shear line in orthogonal cutting is close to the trajectory of maximum normal stress and the problem about its determination has been considered as well. It has been shown that there is a second central slip-line field inside chip, which corresponds well to experimental data about stress distribution on tool rake face and tool-chip contact length. The suggested model would be useful in understanding mechanistic problems in machining.