During hard rock tunnel boring machine (TBM) excavation, shields behind the cutterhead are usually in direct contact with the tunnel wall and therefore subjected to friction forces that occur within this interface. The effect of shield friction in hard rock TBM tunneling has received little attention so far and literature on this topic is scarce and conflicting. To investigate the friction coefficient for the planning of TBM excavations, specialized shear tests were conducted where steel specimens were sheared against lithologically different rock specimens under representative normal forces and shearing speeds. The tests were executed with and without the use of bentonite lubrication. The results show that there is a significant difference between different lithologies and also that using bentonite does not lower the friction coefficient as expected. To elaborate on the effect of shield friction during construction, a framework for interpretation of TBM operational data based on experience from construction sites is provided. Whereas thorough interpretation of the data enables one to draw conclusions about the shield friction, it still remains difficult to assess the real effect of shield friction due to the limited possibilities to observe the ongoing phenomena. This study therefore provides the basis for theoretical and practical assessments of the effect of shield friction for the planning and construction phase of a tunnel. This becomes increasingly important in the light of new contractual developments that aim at differentiating “standard” from “special” advance in an objective and reproducible way. Highlights Thorough elaboration of the effect of shield friction for hard rock tunnel boring machine excavation. First presentation of special shear tests to assess the friction coefficient for different rock types, with or without the use of bentonite. Discussion of the use of tunnel boring machine operational data to draw conclusions about the effect of shield friction during excavation. Questioning the effectiveness of bentonite lubrication for tunnel boring machine excavation.