After graduating from Bent County High School in Las Animas, Colorado Danny Kirschman moved to Golden, Colorado to begin his studies at the Colorado School of Mines. After graduating with an Engineer of Mines Degree, Dan began working as a mining engineer. Through the years Dan worked in various parts of the country eventually moving to Hot Springs, Arkansas where he worked as a mining representative and traveled all over the world.
While living in Hot Springs, Arkansas Dan developed a fascination with the Novaculite rock that is used to make whetstone. He even began cutting and finishing the stones as a part-time hobby. Naturally during his travels Dan carried some of his handy work with him and began to notice that there was a need and demand for the whetstones. So when Dan's boss told him they were going to relocate him to Houston, Texas Dan decided to stay in Hot Springs, Arkansas and start his own business.
With the help of his family, the business of making whetstones began in earnest and has grown and grown. Dan's Whetstone Company, Inc. was originally built in Royal, Arkansas. On June 6, 1984 Dan's Whetstone Company faced a tragic event. The company's building was burned. Determined and dedicated to his customers, Dan’s Whetstone Company, Inc. was rebuilt just outside the city limits of Hot Springs.
As the company grew Dan saw another opportunity to provide a quality product. In addition to the various grades and types of whetstones, Dan's Whetstone Company, Inc. began producing Beverage Buddies Sandstone Coasters. These coasters are a completely natural product that is core-drilled from sandstone boulders. Dan's Whetstone Company, Inc. now produces nearly 350 natural Arkansas Products.
All the determination his family had paid off and the company continued to grow. The company was busting at the seams and with no more space to grow, Dan bought an old poultry house in Pearcy, Arkansas. He converted the building into a whetstone manufacturing facility and in the Spring of 2002 the company began to move. Dan built an office building and the rest of the company employees moved in the Fall of 2004 to the present location of 418 Hilltop Road Pearcy, Arkansas 71964.
