There is an art to using these hones. I have not mastered mine yet but I can say the amount of laps and pressure determine your success or failure. I use mine dry and then wet. I took chips (small) out of an e-Bay Duck and brought it back to shaving with one of these. The thing about oil is once you use it everything else quits working. Water beads off the surface and lather I have not tested. Mainly because I heard this is what degrades the surface. Not so much from use but not being washed clean after use. I imagine using lather would take it up a notch,, in grit,, so to speak.
I don't have the same hone as you but 1 of 3 others I do have is close I am sure :<0)
You got a good one. Keep at it and you'll love it.