I consider soapstone to be a living finish. It does scratch: however, the more scratching the more beautiful if becomes. The scratching creates a patina that I find to be warm and inviting. Soapstone is a material that shows the use and love of many generations. Unlike granite and other quartz product that look hard and cold, soapstone looks warm and hand rubbed

I totally agree with the above comment. The slight scratching is part of it's charm over time. However, if you are looking for a sleek, flawless finish, soapstone is not the best choice in my opinion. Soapstone looks GREAT in rustic, industrial, or vintage style kitchens but might not be as fitting for a polished, formal look. Here is a close up of my two year old soapstone work area in my kitchen, showing the patina of tiny scratches and nicks. This particular counter takes a lot of daily use and is my main cooking, chopping, working area. I oil it with plain, cheap mineral oil about two or three times a year. Totally optional. When I took this photo it hadn't been oiled down in a couple of months.

I love the look of this, what was yours called?