Quote Originally Posted by Euclid440 View Post
Do you really need to soak your stones?
...snip...
Unless honing daily, is there a benefit to storing stones in water?
What are your thoughts and experience?
With the changes in the formulation of some stones ( Naniwa Chosera) I recommend against it. The stones with the new binder will develop cracks quickly. Many stones will change color due to the migration of binders. King/ Ice Bear are notorious for that. I found out the hard way. A buddy with lots of time in honing stored his hones in eater. I tried it with newer stones of the same manufacture.

The water, also, can develop some really nasty bacteria. If you are not a potter, don't do it!

Natural stones do not need a soak.

Read the manufacturer's web pages to see their recommendations, not the seller's!
~Richard