In cutting the top off a stoneware pickle jar, first make an ink mark right round the jar at the place where it is to be cut; then with a new triangular file wetted with turpentine make a mark over the ink mark, cutting through the glaze. Enlarge the file mark with a rasp, lubricating with turpentine. It is better to cut through the jar with the rasp, but as this process is very tedious, after cutting halfway through stand the jar in water up to the file mark, and with a chisel and hammer tap on the file mark until the top comes off.