Had read on another website a tip to give pointing a really nice finish.
Once you've pointed slabs with a just dampish mix and it's time to strike them with brick jointer if you keep dipping brick jointer in clean water before you strike it gives a really nice and smooth finish.
in my opinion the mortar should be wet/damp enough to strike and give a nice finish
if you add water to the surface you are bringing cement to the surface and potentially weakening the mix
biggest failure with pointing is the mix being too dry jimmy
LLL
Keeping your pointing tool clean is a good idea but to dip it in water, i think, is a no no. I'm with LLL on this. I tend to have a damp squeezed out sponge and every now and again i use it to wipe off any excess compo'.