Tuckpointing

[4] The term tuckpointing derives from an earlier, less sophisticated technique that was used with very uneven bricks: a thin line, called a tuck, was drawn in the flush-faced mortar, but left unfilled, to give the impression of well-formed brickwork.

[citation needed] Tuckpointing tools were originally made from wrought iron by blacksmiths in England during the 18th century.

The thickness and width of these tools are dependent upon the mason's preference and the type of brick or stonework they are tuckpointing.

A double Frenchmen knife works by cutting both top and bottom tuckpointed fine lines in one pass, making the process quicker.

Double Frenchmen knives can be adjusted to match the width of the fine tuckpointed lines.

[citation needed] Many historic homes with classic Italianate architecture are examples of recent tuckpointing, such as Werribee Park Mansion at Werribee Park in Victoria, Australia, which displays the contrast between the tuckpointed white lines in the mortar between its bluestone architecture.