Soaking waterstones

[Bindlestiff]

The Korin "Chef's Edge" DVD mentions that water stones should not be soaked for long periods of time but it does not mention the consequences of doing so. Nor does it mention whether the presumed deleterious effect is reversible if you do soak them for an extended period and then let them dry out.

I have seen other articles in which leaving waterstones in water is recommended, mainly so that they will be ready to use at short notice.

I have stored my waterstones in a tub of water for quite some time and have the impression that they do not cut as efficiently as when they were new. It is quite possible that this is a psychological trick I am playing on myself after watching the DVD. A week or so ago I took the stones out of the water and let them air dry. I haven't been back to try them again after this sabbatical.

I would be very interested in other people's experience in this regard.

Bob

 

[yuzuha]

You can soak clay stones like that (the red ones that remind you of a flower pot), but you might get some mineral deposits or wildlife growing in the pores, depending... Magnesia stones (often white and resemble plaster of paris) don't benefit at all since they don't soak up water anyway. Plastic/resin stones like Shapton's shouldn't be soaked (the resin will absorb water and swell making the stone feel rubbery and it won't cut well). Vitrified ceramic stones are okay with soaking like the clay stones. Natural stones (particularly the mudstone/siltstone variety) should be allowed to dry as some will dissintigrate if left in water too long.

 

[StretchNM]

Waterstones are fine soaked indefinitely. I soak mine in a medium sized Igloo water container and they've been in there for almost twenty years. No problems. Also, I can;t say as I could tell a difference between soaked/unsoaked stones, but it seems to me this may be imaginary.

 

[thombrogan]

My 4000 grit and 6000 grit Kings aren't as smooth when they've soaked for days on end. When the 4000 dries (shipped off the 6000 so don't know about it) up and is just splashed with water before use, it leaves a smoother, shinier polish.