I started cold as you put it my self. I did all of my light bevel work on my 5k so I would learn to feel the change.
Many times I would get to the shave test and take it back down to the 5k after because I was not satified yet.
If it is cutting realy well but does not feel smooth yet I would go to the 8k for a few laps.
If it is not cutting as well as it should drop to the 4k as the bevel needs more work.
On the 4k setting the bevel will take a lot of time and one miss stroke will set you back 20 laps easy.