So it seems like my experience isn't abnormal, which makes me feel a lot better.

I am pretty confident that my problem is in the bevel setting, as it was for a lot of people. I'll try again this weekend and update if it works..otherwise, I have a new razor coming that should be shave-ready, and before using it I will probably get a magnifying eye loop and look at the edge, and also use TPT to see what it feels like as a comparison.

Also forgot to mention: I have a DMT 320 that I'm using to lap, but might try that pencil trick in case I haven't been lapping enough.

I'll definitely keep trying!