Kösüre Stone

Kösüre stone is a natural whetstone used for sharpening metal cutting tools. Known in various regions of Anatolia as “kösere,” “köstüre,” “kösdüre,” or “kösre stone,” this stone is among the oldest examples of stonecraft in traditional crafts. Thanks to its natural composition, kösüre sharpens steel, iron, and other metals without damaging their surfaces, making it both a functional and cultural product of Anatolian stone culture.

Kösüre Stone (Generated by Artificial Intelligence)

History

The production of kösüre stone developed alongside the tradition of stonemasonry in Anatolia. This method of production was passed down from generation to generation through the master-apprentice relationship over centuries. The craft, particularly in the Vezirköprü district of Samsun, remained an economic and cultural activity for many years. In the Vezirköprü region, kösüre production became an integral part of rural life as a source of livelihood and helped preserve knowledge related to stonecraft.

With the advent of modern industrialization, this labor-intensive form of production gradually declined. Today, the number of artisans still practicing kösüre production is limited to a few individuals. This situation has transformed the kösüre stone from merely a tool into one of the cultural heritage elements requiring preservation.

Geological Structure and Properties

The primary material of kösüre stone is sandstone. The kösüre stones extracted in the Vezirköprü region are found within Eocene sedimentary layers. These stones consist of fine-grained and homogeneous distributions of minerals such as quartz, feldspar, mica, chlorite, and carbonates. Silica and sericite serve as binding agents. This mineralogical structure enhances both the durability and effectiveness of the stone during sharpening.

The fine-grained texture of the sandstone prevents deep scratches from forming on the surface of the sharpened tool, ensuring a smoother edge. The color of kösüre stones is typically yellowish or pale greenish. Iron oxide within the stone imparts a slight dullness to these tones.

Extraction Areas

The most important deposits of kösüre stone are located in the villages of Kabalı, Akçay, and Kuruçay, which are under the district of Vezirköprü in Samsun. Additionally, quarries around the Altınkaya Dam are other sources of raw material used for kösüre production. The stones are generally found as blocks exposed on the surface due to erosion and weathering in riverbeds.

Seasonal conditions play a crucial role in the extraction of these stones. Increased rainfall and snowmelt in spring bring new stone blocks to the surface of riverbeds. In winter, frozen soil and rising water levels make stone extraction difficult. As a result, kösüre production is typically concentrated at the end of spring and the beginning of summer.

Production Process

The production of kösüre stone is entirely based on manual craftsmanship. Artisans identify suitable stone blocks in riverbeds by assessing their sound and color. Stones that produce a resonant sound when struck with a hammer are preferred. Dark gray stones are considered the best for achieving an optimal sharpening surface.

After extraction from the quarry, the stones are transported to workshops where they are shaped using hand tools. Traditional methods employ chisels, hammers, files, and mallets, while some contemporary artisans also use electric tools such as grinders and drills.

Kösüre stones are typically shaped into cylinders with a diameter ranging from 25 to 40 centimeters and a thickness of 10 to 15 centimeters. The most critical stage of production is drilling a square hole in the center of the stone to accommodate the handle. This hole is drilled equally from both the top and bottom; otherwise, the stone may crack.

The surface of the prepared stone is then smoothed and polished using fine sandpaper. The stone is mounted on a rotating arm mechanism, which is usually made of wood or metal. The three-legged wooden support used to secure the stone is locally known as the “kösüre ladder.”

Structural Components

A kösüre consists of three main components:

1. Stone: The primary element used for sharpening.
2. Arm (Shaft): A wooden or metal rod that enables the stone to rotate.
3. Ladder: A support structure, typically made of wood, on which the kösüre stone is mounted.

These components work together to form a fully mechanical sharpening system powered by hand.

Applications

Throughout history, kösüre stone has been used to sharpen all types of cutting tools such as knives, sickles, axes, scythes, and scissors. Its natural composition prevents damage to the metal surface. Sharpening performed with water or oil prevents excessive heat buildup on the stone’s surface and ensures a finer edge.

Today, kösüre stones are still used in rural areas and are also produced in some workshops using traditional methods and transformed into tourist products.

Cultural and Economic Significance

The production of kösüre stone represents a living example of Anatolian stonemasonry tradition. This craft is not merely a production activity but also a form of cultural transmission. Kösüre artisans are craftsmen who understand stone quality through observation of nature, making decisions based on the stone’s sound, color, and texture.

Six artisans identified in Vezirköprü are today the last representatives of this tradition. While the craft contributes modestly to the local economy, it also deserves preservation as part of intangible cultural heritage.

Geographical Significance Potential

Kösüre stone is among Türkiye’s natural values with geographical significance potential due to its geological and cultural uniqueness. The kösüre stones extracted in the Vezirköprü and Karabük-Eskipazar regions exhibit distinctive characteristics in terms of mineral composition and usage. Therefore, they qualify as products representing regional identity through both their production technique and raw material.

Current Situation

Kösüre production is at risk of disappearing due to the declining number of artisans. The lack of interest among younger generations, shrinking markets, and the inability of handcrafted production to achieve economic viability are challenging the sustainability of this tradition.

Some research initiatives and local projects are working to revalue kösüre stone as a tourist product and revive it through cultural heritage awareness. Within this framework, decorative items and kitchen utensils made from kösüre stone represent examples where traditional knowledge is combined with modern design.

Kösüre stone is one of the rare handcrafts that sustain the stonemasonry tradition of Anatolia. It carries a unique identity both geologically and culturally. The mineral structure of natural sandstone, combined with human labor, transcends its functional purpose and becomes a carrier of historical memory. Ensuring the sustainable preservation of kösüre production is not only a guarantee for the survival of a craft but also for the continuity of Anatolian culture.