Digital BW, The Print

I'm still trying to get my head around the various options available 
to print B&W in the digital realm.  I've recently read so much about 
the subject here as well as other places on the net that my eyes are 
bleeding.  However, I still have a few unanswered questions that I 
hope a kind soul or two out there will help me with.

I shoot digital (Raw) rather than scan…I'm a Windows user with a 
solid color managed workflow...and I'm using an Epson 2200 (for 
now).  I've settled on using QTR with the Epson OEM UC inks, and I 
plan on using Qimage in my workflow.  (Alternatively, I'd like to use 
the above same workflow, but substitute MIS' Eboni ink in place of 
the Epson Matt or Photo black cartridge.)  

So with that, my questions are as follows:

1  I use Photoshop to make my RGB images appear black and white... 
usually using just the two Hue & Sat layers method.  I then edit 
these images in my normal workspace (ProPhoto RGB) until I get the 
look I'm after.

So my first question is…would there be anything to gain from 
assigning Roy Harrinton's RGB-Lab.icc (or Gray-Lab.icc) profile and 
doing my edits in this workspace instead? 

2  I understand that before saving the file as a TIFF file, I'll need 
to do a profile conversion to one of Roy's supplied Matte or Photo 
profiles.  I also understand I need to use RGB-Matte or RGB Photo 
because Qimage doen't handle grayscale.  I've also gathered that I 
can use either Photoshop or Qimage to handle the conversion.  But 
since I'd like to use Qimage's interpolation and smart sharpening 
features, I was thinking of letting Qimage handle the conversion... 
then do a print to file...and then save as a TIFF.

So I guess here my only question at this point is...would there be 
any advantage either way as to which application handles the profile 
conversion?

3.  Once I have a TIFF file, I understand I can then load it into QTR 
and begin applying the supplied or downloaded curves.  As I 
understand it, these curves apply the desired toning touches, taking 
into consideration the ink/paper combinations.  

My question here is...if I desire my file to look exactly as it was 
when I saved it (i.e., no toning whatsoever), do I set the toning 
slider to 50% between two Cool and Warm curves...or do I choose no 
curve at all?

4.  Softproofing...this one has me thoroughly baffled.  I understand 
that I can use Roy's Matt or Photo ICC profiles to do a rough 
softproofing in Photoshop...but is there any way to see the effect 
the toning slider in QTR is having on the image?  In other words, if 
I want my image "somewhat" cool...how can I tell if I've got the 
right percentage mix?  Is doing a printed proof the only way?

5,  And finally...if I wanted to substitute MIS' Eboni cartridge for 
the Epson black cartridge (either Matt or Photo), how much would that 
throw off the supplied curves?  I realize the correct way to do 
things would be to build my own curve for this altered ink set, but 
until I learn a bit more how to do it and can purchase a densometer, 
I was hoping I'd be able to use the ink for a bit richer looking 
black.

I realize I've prattled on quite a bit here with my questions, so I 
want to thank anyone who's read this far for indulging me.  If anyone 
would care to take a shot at this list of questions, I'd be most 
appreciative...even if you're able to address only one or two of them 
it would help tremendously.

Thanks,

-Dean Carnagey