Kitayana 8k stone. Soak or no soak?

[Mikey's Deli]

I have a Kitayana 8k stone in the mail. Very excited. Also a "Green Brick of Joy". Equally stoked.

Now from my research some are saying the Kitayana should be soaked for 15 minutes before use and some are saying it's a splash and go.
If splash and go, does the lack of water in the stone damage the stone or the knife? And if so, does soaking begin to dissolve the magnesium salts in the stone prematurely?

Anyone have any experience with this stone? And if so, (here comes another question) can you attest to getting the 10k-12k polish that people are claiming you can get from this 8k stone? Magical!

Either way I am stoked.

thanks,

-mikey p.

 

[HwangJino]

I have 2 of the 8000 grits, wonderful stone for its price.

I soak for 5 minutes and keep a small bowl of water and sprinkle as I go, I use a natural nagura as in my opinion it works better with slurry.

I avoid dry use, but some do.

 

[BluntCut MetalWorks]

I just splash & go with my 8K kita stone.

 

[Jason B.]

I've had a few and sold them all in favor of the Arashiyama 6k as I feel it provided a more useful edge.

The Kitayama is a good 8k stone but it's not the magical 10-12k that some claim. It's just a good 8k stone.

I never soaked mine.

 

[Mikey's Deli]

I've had a few and sold them all in favor of the Arashiyama 6k as I feel it provided a more useful edge.

The Kitayama is a good 8k stone but it's not the magical 10-12k that some claim. It's just a good 8k stone.

I never soaked mine.

Roger that, brother.