Is Soaking Stones Needed?
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?