Hand Tooling: Honoring Tradition and Craftsmanship

At Salthouse Stonemasonry, we pride ourselves on crafting every piece with precision and care, using traditional hand-tooling techniques. This age-old method is at the heart of our work and ensures every stone tells its own story. Below are some examples of the stunning hand-tooled finishes we specialize in:

Bolstered Finish

These finishes are meticulously created using blacksmith-made tools—just as they have been for centuries. By preserving these traditional techniques, we maintain the authenticity and heritage of our buildings, ensuring they look and feel as though they belong to the era from which they originate.

Punched Face

But these finishes aren’t purely decorative—they serve a purpose. Each tool mark provides valuable insights into the techniques used by historic stonemasons and the reasoning behind them.

The Purpose Behind the Craft

In times gone by, stonemasons developed these finishes to create functional, flat surfaces for ease of construction or for aesthetic purposes. Here's how each finish played its role:

- Pitched Finish: This was the initial step, used to remove the bulk of the stone and define key lines, such as borderlines or draftlines.

- Punched Finish: Serving as the middle stage, punching removed excess material while semi-flattening the surface for further refinement.

- Bolstered Finish: The final stage, bolstering perfected the surface, leaving a smooth and polished finish.

By using these traditional methods, we ensure that every stone we craft not only complements its historic surroundings but also retains the character and purpose of its original design. At Salthouse Stonemasonry, we believe that honoring these finishes is essential in keeping our heritage buildings timeless and authentic, while showcasing the incredible skill of traditional craftsmanship.

Are you restoring a historic property? Let us help you bring its story to life with our expert hand-tooling techniques. Reach out today to learn more!