Donated by A.B. Barton

A grindstone is typically crafted from a thick, porous stone like sandstone, which is shaped to have a fine grain. This stone is mounted on a central axis, allowing it to be spun at varying speeds.

During the grinding process, items such as knives and tools can be sharpened. Additionally, the grindstone can also be used to polish wood or stone, as its fine grain buffs the surface rather than gouges it.

An arm attached to the central axis enables the grinder to control the speed of the grindstone. The phrase "nose to the grindstone" historically refers to the use of a millstone, which consists of two grindstones laid sideways on top of each other, with enough spacing to grind grain.

In this process, the grinder had to keep his nose nearly touching the grindstone to ensure the proper spacing for grinding the grain to the desired texture.