I've been trying to examine all the parts of my straight experience, the lather, the skin stretch, hair growth direction, going slow, angle, all of that. I then noticed that as I draw my straight across the strop gaps appear. At first I thought it was my unsteady hand. So I slowed it down and it is still there!

Could this be part of my sharpness problem? Its a new Herold Solingen strop. Could I heat it up to relax the leather? Is there a softening agent that I should be using? I do draw the blade in an X pattern, but I still see the gap.

Let me know if any of you guys have an idea. Thanks.