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This is true. Most of the exploration of the continant by the Spanish was done in small groups, most of them breaking away from the main expedition force, to look for gold and treasure.

arkansas was actually being explored by the Spanish before most of the origional colonies were even founded. Weather or not they used the stones from the area, I don't know, but it's entirely...

Basically, any natural stone can sharpen steel with varying degrees of success and consistancy.