I would say spend more time on the 1k since appears that the bevel is not set. There is no point moving to higher grits until the bevel is completely set. Since you have access to a microscope you can watch the striations reach the edge as you hone. Once the striations reach the edge on both sides you should be good to move on.

Perhaps you are using too much pressure and flexing the edge. This happens easier with the thinner grinds. There are a lot of things that could be going on so it is hard to say for sure.

Good luck!