Make sure you dry your razor thoroughly after shaving and either oil it or strop it before putting it away.

If you shave with a razor and then dry it and leave it in the head, it will corrode on the edge. It will lose some of it's glide, and if it is bad enough, it won't come back without a honing.

Going against the grain on the neck is tricky. I use a low angle and a serious of short strokes with very light pressure. Lead with the toe if you can, it reduces pull.

By the way, I have used a linen or cotton strop only 2 or 3 times the entire time I have been shaving. I don't bother with them. I only use leather and get great edges.

Not to say they don't have a use, but they just aren't very important, you don't need to use them.

Toolarts