Welcome!

I'm kind of new too so please bare that in mind if you read my advice. Just make sure your Dovo is shaveready.. if not you will need to let it be honed by someone.. I wouldnt do it myself the first time (I havent honed any razor yet)

I'm no expert on badger brushes or soaps but I guess better soap shaves more pleasurably and a badger brush could make better lather with that great soap/cream.and applies it more comfortably to your face..
I just use cheap soap/cream I get around the corner with a cheap bore brush and I like to shave with it anyway.

I'm no expert on strops or stropping so I wont be of any help there..

Maarten