Hey Spinsheet-I got that same kit (with that same useless video!), and sold it to the wife as a good all-around sharpening system; the only deal is that I have to keep all the kitchen knives (and boys' pocket knives) sharp, but as I enjoy honing anyway, it's just more fun for me. But yeah, as others have said, lap 'em up good 1st, with no pressure-let the weight of the stone do the work, or you'll end up with the dreaded grit embedded in that soft water-stone.

As a relative honing newbie myself, I have found that it does indeed pay to watch all the videos you can (Lynn, gssixxgun, hi-bud-gl, all of those). Secondly, I have found the easiest method to a successful bevel in Lynn's circles on the 4k side; there's a video for it on here, and it's practically foolproof. The 4/8k pyramid system after that is another fairly simple way to get a blade shave-ready. Enjoy the journey-once you get one to shave-ready, you'll be hooked, and will want to hone everything in sight!