Soft and fast cutting 500 grit Bernal Cutlery Takarazukushi ceramic stone made in Japan with alumina and zircon abrasives with a great cutting ability. The particles are not completely homogenous and some deeper scratches are to be expected, this is no problem so long as a more homogenous medium stone that is a good cutter is used to follow up. Softer stones like this are great for flattening wide bevels and doing chip removal, this has become a favorite in our workshop as a coarse stone in a progression for wide bevels. 

Ceramic stones will not come apart with longer soaking periods (although water should be changed) resinoid stones should not be left to soak indefinitely, and both should be allowed to dry outside of sun and wind and not allowed to freeze wet.