Portland Stone etc.

["David Calderwood" <DavidCalderwood@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Bill, thanks for your email.  Yes, Portland Stone is (to the best of my
knowledge) limestone.  I'm told that it is creamy white in colour - most of
London was built from it but even I remember how dirty it got because of the
pollution - that was over thirty years ago so I guess it is dirtier these
days.

Concerning silicon carbide for hand sharpening chisels - do you use water
while sharpening?  I want to avoid oil because I fear it will stain the
piece of stone I will be working on.

Thanks too for your tip on "resurfacing" and the use of discarded office
furniture.  I find that desk height is a bit too low for me to work on but I
suppose that I could put blocks under the legs.

What sort of stone do you carve?  I would be really interested to know about
your work.

Thanks again for your help - David