Stropping is absolutely fundamental! It's the very first skill one has to master when learning to shave with a straight razor. I remember that when I bought my first razor it didn't do much to my arm hairs... I was disappointed, really! I bought it from a member here (gone missing, I guess...) that claimed that - and I believe him - it was honed by Lynn. I stropped the razor and it worked wonders. Sure.... I understropped! But it showed me that stropping is important! Of course, the shave was not good... but it showed me it's important enough to make a strop a mandatory part of the kit.