I go 1k to can't. Its not different than going 1k to using a coticule for the rest. Just build up a slurry and dilute as you go. It does take a little bit longer than a coticule but not much. There is a member here goes by the name of "Steel" or something like that. He came up with a great way to do it with the chinese 12k. My first hone was a coticule. So its not impossible to learn just might take a little longer to get really good edges.