How old masons kept their tools sharp ...

[Tomas Lipps <tmlipps@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

European stone masonry, which has its roots in the Near East, did not become a
profession until the metallurgical advancements of the copper and iron ages
put metal tools in the hands of stone builders.  Since then and until the
advent of carbide steel chisels, stone masons have depended upon blacksmiths
to  shape, dress and temper their tools ... unless, as many did - and still do,
they perform this work themselves.  On medieval building sites for instance,
the smithy was never far from the mason's lodge.

Tomas Lipps
stonefoundation.org