It took me a while before I started getting shave-worthy edges. Hang in there. Maybe someone close can give you an afternoon lesson? I taught myself for about the first year and a half then spent a few days within 6 months with a few local pros and my edges took off! I could get an ok shave with the 8k at first, definitely tugged a bit. After 6 months to a year I was getting better shaves and upgraded to a 12k stone. Shaves improved yet again but nothing like what the pros were producing. After a few lessons with the masters I can almost get edges like theirs. They aren't quite on the same level, but definitely in the same league. I also found having access to a microscope has helped me a great amount as well. But they are expensive for a nice one unless you get lucky and find one for cheap.

Simply having great stones doesn't guarantee great edges either. I was trying to figure out the Escher for a few months before I started getting it to perform. It is a learning process for sure. Just take you time, people will help. The biggest tips I've ever had were using ZERO pressure and honing with one hand. Yes, occasionally I use two hands, but ever since switching to one hand, my edges have been better.

Having diamond spray or CrOx might serve useful while your learning too. It did for me, although some people advise to stay away from then in the beginning. It helped me because my edges weren't up to par and the spray/paste helped stretch my edges just a tad more and smooth everything out. Now I don't ever use paste/spray, I enjoy seeing how good of shaves I can get using strictly hones. I wish you luck and hope everything starts coming together soon!