Greetings all, as I am relatively new to the forums here and this is my first post.

I recently purchased an old machinist’s tool chest at an estate auction and it was full of old tools, many of which I am still trying to determine what their functions may be. One drawer contained a number of small files and stones which I know must be for sharpening, but I confess that I am unsure *what* if anything amongst my woodworking tools these stones may be useful for. They are older Norton Abrasives Arkansas file stones, in various shapes; round, knife shaped (diamond-shaped cross section) and square. They are approximately three inches long. One has an identifying mark which shows it to be an HF-813 hard arkansas round file stone which research has revealed that they are prized by gunsmiths, machinists, and woodworkers, so I am sure these have some value to my burgeoning interest in hand tool woodworking. But what can I sharpen with them?

As background, I should say that I have plenty of experience with more traditional flat stones and sharpening knives (I am a chef by trade), chisels and such but these are beyond my experience. Any advice or insight would be appreciated.

–Chris