Since this is a PIF (pass it forward) razor i think that we can assume that it was shave ready when you got it. the pre-shave use of a strop though is a big part of the comfort factor. Stropping aligns the edge and cleans it making it smoother on the face.

But as Kees notes, the first few weeks of using a straight is a big learning experience where you first learn the proper way to hold the blade to the face and the practice if very light pressure to glide through the beard. as well as the wonderful ex foliating that the razor will do ...particularly if too much pressure is exerted.

Remember strop first 40 to 60 full laps on the strop with little pressure, spine leading and taking great care that you flip it over on the spine, not the edge