Do you really need to soak your stones?

My go to stones are Chosera 1k, Norton 4/8K and 12K Super Stone.

I used to soak my Norton’s but found it messy and just was not necessary. I could find no difference in performance.

The Chosera and Super Stones are splash and go, I do soak the Chosera when in use to loosen swarf and keep clean, a few minutes of soaking make them ready for use.

Norton’s I find are ready to go with just 10-15 minutes of soaking. I do soak them while in use, or better said in a pond during honing while not in use. Super Stone I splash with a squirt bottle, not spray, no soak for them.
I store all my stones dry.

Unless honing daily, is there a benefit to storing stones in water?

What are your thoughts and experience?