Water of Ayr Scottish whetstones—sourced from the historic quarries of Ayrshire—were highly valued across a wide range of precision trades for their smooth, fine, and consistent abrasive qualities. Jewelers used them for refining metalwork and finishing delicate settings; watchmakers and clockmakers relied on them to polish pivots and smooth miniature steel components; engravers and metalworkers shaped and honed their tools on them; and craftsmen in woodworking, surgical-instrument making, and cutlery turned to Water of Ayr stones for their ability to produce clean, controlled edges. Their versatility, gentle cutting action, and remarkably uniform texture made them a universal finishing stone in workshops that demanded accuracy, subtlety, and a high-quality hand-polished surface.
