EXHIBIT 99.1

                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection with The Kennametal Thrift Plan (the "Plan") on Form 11-K for the
period ended December 31, 2002 as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), the undersigned, as plan
administrator of the Plan, certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to his
knowledge:

         (1)    The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a)
                or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

         (2)    The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
                material respects, the financial condition and result of
                operations of the Plan.


/s/ Michael Pepperney
-------------------------
Michael Pepperney
Plan Administrator
The Kennametal Thrift Plan

June 25, 2003


* This certification is made solely for purposes of 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
subject to the knowledge standard contained therein, and not for any other
purpose. A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or
other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the
signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this
written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to the Plan and
will be retained by the Plan and furnished to the Securities and Exchange
Commission or its staff upon request.


                                       13