: . . .Since this wood is hard and will probably not soak up any
: epoxy, should I leave it as it is or sand with finer grit?

Some hardwoods are notoriously porous. Any species of open-grain wood, which would typically need to be filled before it gets a final sanding, is going to suck up plenty of resin.

Using a finer grit of sandpaper -- or a sharp plane, or a cabinet scraper --will not affect the porosity of the wood, and therefore it won't affect how much resin soaks in, or how deep it soaks in.

The point made about fresh sanding is important. The natural resins (drying sap)in many woods will tend to ooze on a nearly microscopic level, and eventually reseal their natural pathways in the wood. Even a light sanding will reopen those pores -- and your epoxy will soak in by capillary action.

PGJ