G'day Rapaire,

If you really want to get your rocks off after the 40 years since you spent time turning large ones into small ones, don't tool around, get hold of The Complete Modern Blacksmith, by Alex Weygers - he gives you all the info on adapting cold chisels for stone carving, so you and they don't lose their temper. You'll find the book at Amazon.

As to details on current tools and techniques, check out Walter Arnold. He's got got a heap of guff and a bloody good eye for knowing which bits of rock to leave behind - and that's SERIOUS.

As to carving schist et=schistera - get a high-speed rotary carver - it's even grainier than the wood - Take note Jim Dion - stone and wood are totally different materials to carve.

Cheers - Sam