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>>>Reminds me of hubby’s foot pedal powered grindstone, inherited from my grandfather. He uses it frequently to sharpen things around here-axes, scythes, hoes etc.<<<

LOL - I almost addressed that to you too... You were on my mind as I wrote that, but sent it before I added your address...

I have seen foot powered grindstones that were way out of round even - and they still worked fine. The low speed seems to sharpen without affecting the temper of the steel very much. Most have a dribble can which can either be for water or oil as you grind. I have not seen modern gizmos that can put an edge on something like they can.

How is your gardening going? Finally put my tomatoes and peppers in today - I hope the weather is finally settling down, even though last night it was down to 43 degrees. I had held them as long as I could - most all are starting to bloom. 72 tomatoes and 18 peppers. The lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, onions and beets all loving the weather - corn is doing OK (planted a very early short season corn which tolerates cold better than most), but it would like some warmer weather, string beans and lima beans are up but they too are looking for some warmer weather. Still a bit cool for cantaloupe, watermelon, summer squash, cucumbers, etc.

Hope your weather is cooperating.

Yes, our stone is WAY out of round and wobbles furiously as you pump. It also has the dribble can and we use water. Is this to control the sparks, or does it facilitate the honing process?

Gardens are coming along famously. Just waiting for whatever catastrophe is coming. Drought, floods or frost? It's always something. Got a severe frost here couple weeks ago. Covered the strawberries and still have a few black blossoms but they are loaded with baby berries and should be ready to harvest in a couple weeks-early for this area.
Lost all of my small peaches and the trees were loaded this year. Broke my heart as these trees produce luscious peaches when we are fortunate enough to harvest any. Lost about 90% of the plums, some cherries and some apples.

Gardens are coming along, but I find this year that 30-45 minutes of hard work leaves me so out of breath and dizzy that I need a half hour rest to recuperate. The lawn chair under the apple tree is getting plenty of use. Parsnips, beans, tomatoes, beets, cukes, buttercup, butternut and zucchini squash, watermelon and corn are in. Some things are up-started the corn in the house and it's looking great-my most favorite veggie.