I decided I wanted to build a gravel bike on the cheap, so I did.
Closeout/closing frame set from Performance for $100, aluminum cross frame, carbon/al fork, canti brakes.
This frame set came with Origin 8 cantis already installed.

I got it home and finally built it up with stuff I had laying around in the parts bin.
Claris 8sp shifters and cassette, Tiagra 9sp everything else. I kept the aforementioned Origin 8 cantis, because why not?

Now I'm finding I have no braking power.
When I squeeze the brake lever, the pads make contact with the wheel, but I'm finding that I have to send the levers almost to the bars to get any real stopping power out of the brakes.
I've adjusted the brake pads to be as close to the rim as possible and still be able to unlatch the "quick release?" on the cable yolk.
Are the Claris shifter/brakes just not designed to be used with cantis? The Claris shifts perfectly fine, the 8sp 12-32 is just fine for what I'm riding, but if I'm gonna fly off into a ravine I'd rather source a set of cheap 10sp Tiagra or Sora shifters.
Or are the Origin 8 brakes just bad?
Or am I just missing something obvious?

Thanks