Soapstone is soft enough to carve with a knife.

Crud...lost part of my post. Minor scratches in soapstone can be buffed out with a 3M pad. Regular oiling of the stone makes it look better. We think of soapstone as a "living finish". It changes and matures over time. If you like the look but are afraid of the soft material, look for a "leathered" granite slab instead. The texture will be similar to soapstone, with granite harness.