I posted about my 1k cracking a (long) while ago. It never affected the performance, so I didn't worry about it. Still true. Granted, I would prefer to have a hone that didn't crack, but I'm not worried about it.

(Never soaked it, but sometimes the 1k sees prolonged use. I thought it may have been from rapid drying in the dry, cold Rochester winter, so I wrapped it in paper towel or actual towel after use to try to slow/even out the drying process.)