I haven't used my blue belgian sides on my two natural combination hones (La Veinette and La Verte) for quite a while, but I used to use my La Veinette in a progression of:

- yellow w/slurry (I guess equivalent to the 1000 grit)
- blue w/slurry
- blue w/half slurry and water
- add layer of tape
- blue with water
- yellow with water

I got some really good results. Apparently the blue side on water doesn't effectively do much, but for the rest the method is still in my "Honing method book" for that sad day when nothing else works.

My blues, especially the La Veinette, are a joy to hone on, although I noticed my La Verte blue side (with yellow popping through here and there ) has some dents.