Silicon Carbide "Water" Stone?

[Hans Braul]

I hve just started using the LV 200 grit silicon carbide stone for rough sharpening prior to honing. It works well, but it seems that the "water" part is academic, since there is no surface water at all, and seems essentially dry in use. Is it necessary for the stone to be wet?

Thanks in advance for your advice

Hans Braul

[Eddie Darby]

I use mine wet,very wet....in the bottom of my washer sink.

Here are the instructions that come with the stone:

http://www.leevalley.com/shopping/Instructions.aspx?p=41044

At the worst, it washes the swarf away.

From this page:

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=33025&cat=1,43072,43071&ap=1