The invention relates to a device (15) and a method (V) for machining a tool (16) by removing material. The tool (16) is first of all measured in three dimensions using a measuring unit (17) and a three-dimensional virtual tool model (M) is produced therefrom. This virtual tool model (M) is compared with a reference contour (R) from a particular tool data record (WD). If a match was determined, a machining program (PR) assigned to the tool data record (WD) is selected and a desired contour (SK) is determined by fitting the reference contour (R) into the three-dimensional virtual tool model (M). The tool (16) can then be machined on the basis of this desired contour (SK).