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?

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Originally Posted by Euclid440

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?

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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

Your spot on Marty. I soak my Nortons so I can grab and go. Everything else sits dry waiting for a quick splash.
I did a little experiment when I first got my Nortons and when dry , without soaking they drink water like crazy. This lead me to believe that fine particles might also soak in eventually clogging up the pores if you didn't soak them first. 15 minutes is plenty of soak time before you start honing from what I have read.

We don't have to worry about it but I would think temperature changes, with water in the stone, would be harmful if not fatal.

Having the single grit 4k and 8k nortons I was pleased to see the instructions say the 8k does not require soaking. I keep my 4k in a rubbermade container sealed with water just covering it. Since no air gets in no algae forms. I give Choseras a 5 to 15 minute soak. I know a lot of guys just 'splash and go' but I figure the manufacturer gives the instructions for a reason. So far so good.

I soak my no-name water stones for only 30 seconds or so at the recommendation of the seller. Every minute or so I give then a dunk back in the water to wash off the swarf; they seem to stay wet enough work ok that way. I don't store them in water.

But mostly I use oil stones; that's just how I roll...

I've always found the low grit nortons keep drinking water no matter how long you keep them immersed. I've never done it on a permanent basis but even after several hours they still absorb water like crazy.

I have a very similar mind set as you Euclid, I only have my Norton 4/8 soaking while I bevel set before I use it, usually once it stops bubbling it is good to go and the 4k is thirsty always and wants more water to keep it going
My Nani 1 & 12k's get a couple second dip before I use them then water added as using them
They are air dried overnight then stored dry in there boxes in a semi sealed container

I soak most low-grit stones until the bubbling stops (the surface tension of the water is integral to their function), but I rarely soak a high-grit stone at all.

A early experience with a Bester 1K taught me that skipping the soaking step can be a mistake - the thing sucked swarf right into all of its pores as it absorbed water during honing. That stone is now reserved for knives only, and has been given a slightly rude nickname.

I know a lot of chefs have perma-soak stones because they don't have time to wait for a stone to soak, but they tend to sharpen every day and can change the water frequently.

I have the Norton combos and Welsh slate, the naturals are good to go, the Nortons I soak for about 1/2 hour and after use lap and let dry on their side for a day and then store wrapped in kitchen tissue towel. I plan my honing so there is no surprise and I know that the hones need to be soaked. There has not been any cracking to date.

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Originally Posted by Euclid440

Do you really need to soak your stones?

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I think it tells you in the instructions . :p :)

Kidding aside. There are stones like the King, Bester, Kasumi, etc, that can double as a sponge so yeh some stones I'd soak.

I soak my 800 to 1200 grit kings.4k and up I do not.