How old masons kept their tools sharp ...

["Steven McGahey" <stevenm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear all,

I'm putting together a presentation for a group of
Freemasons. The chat is based on/around how stonemasons
did what they did long ago without the technology of
today.

I've put together a bit so far with the interesting
lifting machines and things, but one question that they
haven't had answered to their satisfaction yet is... how
did they keep their tools in good working condition.

I mean, they must've been cutting a fair amount of stone
each day, and without the special materials technology
that we have today, surely their tools must've dulled
rather quickly.

I've found some resources around the place which suggest
things, and I've read the archives of this group, but I
am hoping to glean a bit more information from your
collective ideas.

Do you have ideas/suggestions of how many hours work
they could do with the chisels they would've had then
(for they typical stones like granite, sandstone, marble
and others you think of)?

Do you know how they would've gone about re-sharpening
their chisels - or alternatively, do you think they
would've just dropped their worn out chisels and gotten
new ones (too much wear and tear to make them
re-usable???).

Any ideas would be very much appreciated!  (And, if it
pleases the members of this list, I could perhaps send
people a copy of this electronic document I am putting
together when it is finished, for their interest).

Kindest Regards,
- Steve McGahey.