Just knowing what problems many people face learning to hone, here are some suggestions.

You need to test as you go. If you are sure the bevel is set at 1k, try using the HHT after a short stropping off the 4k stone. You are not using HHT to measure sharpness, you're looking for two things; that the edge passes HHT off the 4k and that it is the same all along the edge. I do this off a 5k as a final bevel-set test. If it won't pass HHT off the 4-5k stone the bevel is not properly set.

Try cutting your pressure by 75%. Almost everyone uses too much pressure when learning and a razor's edge, especially a hollowground one, is so thin that it flexes, and the bevels get rounded and aren't properly hitting the hone and therefore the edge doesn't develop like it should.

Also get a magnifying glass - your microscope may work - and examine the bevel after each grit to verify that the scratches are being removed equally along the bevel, especially at the toe and heel. Most straight razors aren't straight and getting the bevel developed equally along the length of the edge is one thing you're trying to learn.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Cheers, Steve