here in Lisboa, instead of fitting the bricks, they put down stones that are a very rough fit and fill in the (large) gaps with sand and dirt.

This has major failure modes, being exceedingly unpleasant to ride a bike on (or walk with a cane, wheelchair, etc.) as well as generating frequent potholes with piles of little stones kicked out of the sidewalks up against the walls. But I suppose it is Traditional.

That's the easy part..
The preparitory groundwork is the hard part..

I know, I've done a few and with large pavers that are way heavier.. like one in a barrow with two men to wheel into position ))

That first part is half of what my brother did when he was working for a mason. The other half was making mortar.

He found out at the end of the year that they hadn't covered their half of the taxes that they owed on his behalf and he would be responsible for that as well. He found another job after that

Edit: oh I see he cuts it at an angle so it gets a bevel and falls in better

Seeing a lot of comments about how easily the cutter slices through the brick but can we take a moment to admire his marking work?

Just a one shot freehanded line on a brick that's leaning at an angle and somehow he manages to draw it in the right place on the opposite side of the brick from the side leaning on the edge of the hole without having to actively correct for it

Like... How much force is he having to apply to that cutter? It doesn't _look_ like he's applying a lot of force.

It's _all_ impressive but I'm afraid my 'tism has zoomed in on the cutter, as well.

My knees hurt just from watching the video.

Also from being old.