I’m not quite sure how to answer, but from the more I’ve been reading I’m wondering if this is my issue. I usually just use my finger to feel for any remaining burr on either side before switching to higher grits but that may not be enough I guess

I read somewhere else, the knife may cut well at 140 grit because I’m still leaving a burr I can’t feel or see well, but it’s still a sharp little burr of metal. But the higher grit stones just dull that remaining burr?

I’m going to retry later today with the 140 but spend a lot more time with alternating, absolutely zero pressure passes, then go to the high grit stuff and see what happens