Ancient Brick Cutting Methods That Are Still Used Today

The stonemasons of historic periods as far back as 3500 BC were practising complex stonecutting and sculpture work on architecture using hand tools; embellishing structures of cultural importance with designs that required entire days of exhausting craft without pause. Nowadays, technology allows us to articulate this same innate cultural desire but with increased efficiency and a new potential for scalability.   

Scoring and Snapping

One of the oldest and simplest brick-cutting methods still widely used today is the score-and-snap technique. Traditionally done with chisels, masons would carve a shallow groove into the brick before applying pressure to break it cleanly. 

Today, a bolster or brick set is more likely to be used, but the principle is unchanged. For projects requiring a precise break, particularly when fitting brick slips or detailing around curves, this method continues to deliver reliable results with minimal equipment.

Saw-Cutting for Precision Work

While ancient masons didn’t have powered saws, the essence of saw-cutting (removing material through friction) was present in their stonework. Today’s circular saws and wet tile cutters are refined continuations of that technique. 

When intricate brick bonding patterns or sharp architectural lines are needed, modern saw-cutting tools allow for tight control and cleaner finishes. This age-old approach remains a cornerstone of brickwork that, while now far easier to get done, is much the same as it was millennia ago.

Hand-Chiselling for Custom Detailing

The level of detail behind a human hand and eye is just as, if not even more, valued than it was in ancient times. Where brick slips must replicate aged structures or blend into a historical context, chiselling by hand provides a softer, more authentic edge that machines can’t reproduce. 

This method also allows for artistic expression in an echo of how ancient stonemasons once carved decorative friezes and reliefs into their projects. Much of the intention behind brickwork: a desire to be remembered, marking territory, and exciting a space visually, is the same. Their method of application is suitably no different.

Timeless Craftsmanship, Modern Contexts

What’s the most clear is that the essence of ancient brick cutting hasn’t disappeared; it’s been refined. Brick bonding patterns still rely on bricks being shaped just right, and many of the subtle tricks used by modern masons are learned from centuries of experimentation. 

Even the clean lines of today’s brick slips owe their precision to techniques that pre-date electricity. While the scale of our buildings has massively increased, it’s our founding belief that consistently quality craftsmanship has stayed strong.

At Shropshire Brick & Stone, we appreciate this lineage behind our craft. The work we do continues a conversation started thousands of years ago, now with sharper tools, but a respect for the trade that’s just as sharp. Get in touch today to learn more.