Once you leave the 8k you can go to the 1 micron paddle, no need for the coarser grits at that point.

As for sharpness, it's usually easier for beginners to use the paddle strop than a stone, so you might want to go back to the 3m side for 5 laps, then the 1m side for 10 laps and give it a test shave (just lather up a small section of your cheek, wait a minute to let it soften, and try a cross-grain pass). If it seems ok then finish polishing the edge on the 0.5 and 0.25. When I first started using the norton I got similar almost-but-not-quite shave-ready results, and salvaged things with the pasted paddle. Eventually you'l get better results with the norton, it just takes time to learn.

For sharpening with the paddle, I rest the end on the counter top and tilt it downwards at a 30-45 degree angle, and let gravity slide the razor slowly down the paddle, then flip the razor and pull it slowly back up.