Knurling is a machining process that creates a raised diamond, straight, or angled pattern on a workpiece surface by deforming the material, typically done on a lathe using hardened roller tools to improve grip, enhance aesthetics, and provide a firm surface for other operations. The process involves pressing the knurling tool's inverse pattern into the rotating workpiece, causing plastic deformation rather than cutting away material. It's commonly applied to tool handles, fasteners, and other cylindrical parts, requiring specific tools, proper lathe setup, and controlled parameters for optimal results.