I also am a new user to the F&S system and haven't had great results; my edges are alright, but nothing hair shaving like everybody claims. I think I need to start over with the 100 grit stones and be sure I raise a burr...

I have done my Hinderer XM-18 and Strider SMF which should be 22.5° on each side, so I set the arms on 22°. I started with the 600 grit stones since my edges were in pretty good shape and I did the marker technique on the edge as well. The stones took the marker off all the way to the edge (as far as I could tell; I don't have a loupe currently to check tho), and I worked to the 1000 stones. The edges turned out the same, if not a little bit worse, than what they were when I started. I tried doing the swipes with no pressure and letting the stones do the work; I tried using a bit more pressure to make sure the stones maintained contact with the blade...same results.

Maybe I just need more practice...I debated getting the standard model over the F&S bc you can fine tune the angle (instead of having a more fixed angle of 16, 18, 20, 22, etc.), but I'm not sure that this is my issue. Any suggestions from the pros here