The Kori 8" 4000 Grit Whetstone helps you achieve a surgically sharp edge on your tools. For the finest, most polished edge, nothing works better than a Japanese Water Stone. The abrasive slurry produced while sharpening helps to polish and refine the blade. To use this waterstone no need to soak since it's a resin based stone. Just splashing or spraying small amounts of water on the stone while using to keep it wet and create an abrasive slurry.