I personally don't have the honed AB but have done a lot of research about it because I want to use it in my daugther's bathroom reno. It seems that since the honed does not have a shine to it, that when you touch it or it gets wet, it leaves marks, just form the natural oils in your hands absorbing into the stone. I have read mixed reviews that some people don't notice it at all and it bothers others. I also read a great way to solve the fingerprint issue to spray method granite cleaner and polish all over it with a rag right after it's installed and the polish will soak into the stone, so you won't notice the fingerprints as much. That is what I have decided to do if I go that route. Sorry I don't have personal experience but that is what I have read about. If it is really the look you want go for it! I love the way it looks in kitchens.

I can't help you with Honed Granite, saw it at a granite dealer, but it wasn't for us. We have a 50 yr old house, not too old, but hrdwd flrs throughout, pocket doors, but really your basic 2 story Colonial,,,With that, we've had our soapstone for almost a year, and I can't tell you how extremely happy we are with our choice. As I learned about soapstone, and this site was/is loaded with info...there is as much bad info as correct info regarding soapstone. We purchased ours through Bucks County Soapstone and they only carry Black Venata which is supposed to be "soft". I don't know, but our counters are as hard as a friend of ours that chose a greener stone that I believe is called Julia here. In our neck of the woods they call it PA Soapstone whether it's a greener stone or blacker, only B County calls it Black Venata. There were definite things we liked about soapstone: no bacteria never needing to seal it never needing ANY maintenance whatsoever other than for personal reasons (to keep it dark) extra bonus is how quickly something defrosts on soapstone. Threw out every trivet I owned, and love being able to put a piping hot roasting pan right on the countertop. We've never had a problem with rings, we like it dark, but I only oil it now when someone is coming to visit that doesn't have a clue about soapstone. Or every 3 months? but it stays dark and beautiful. As for splashing around the sink, it holds up perfectly, nothing penetrates this stone, so water simply puddles until its wiped dry. Depending on the kind of dish detergent you use will depend on whether it lifts the oil and turns it lighter. When that happens I bring out the handy dandy oil cloth give it a quick wipe and it's back to perfect. We do have a few dings around the sink, but again, with a bit of sandpaper, or nothing at all as so many of us like.. it's not a big deal. Pricing around our area was the same for either granite, soapstone or marble, so that wasn't a big decision breaker. I hope I helped, it really is a personal decision, but this beautiful inert stone makes us smile each day, and we are thrilled with all it offers.

I know this has been asked and answered But I still need some help. After an extensive search for a slate counter top I settled for honed black granite. The owner of the quarry guaranteed me he would seal it before delivery and it would not leave any discolorations. That did not happen, the installers just wiped it down with a sealer and when epoxy was used for the sink glue residue & finger prints set in as well as every splash of water after the faucet was connected. I called the dealer?quarry the next day and he said he would take care of it. 1 week later everything was leaving stains even if I wiped it immediately, splatter from the stove just spread with each wipe. I called again and told him he needed to send someone over to remove the stains and reseal it properly. His response was well it's stone it's going to do that?????? but he would sell me a sealing kit!!!!I responded what good is that if it's stained. he said use bleach, didn't work either. Help! this guy lied to me and now I'm stuck with a top that is getting worse by the day, is there something wrong with this stone? What can I use to remove the glue stains & food splatter, water marked do come up if I repeated scrub them but that's all day every day???????

I have granite...leathered black pearl with "zero" finger printing/water splashing. I love it!