I saw this one video on you tube where the guy sliced off a strand of hair he was holding. I tried it but I just can't get the same effect :-)

Anyhow, I think my stropping skills need to be improved because I can't get a smooth glide when going against the grain around my chin. As far as my stropping technique, I've watched quite a few videos on youtube. I do about 20 cycles every time before I shave. Holding the strop tight with a light stroke of the blade up and down, and flipping it on its spine.

Questions:

1. How do you test to know your blade is the sharpest it can be?

2. How many times do you run the blade on the strop before you shave?

3. When do you use the stropping paste?

4. When do you use the linen side of a two-sided strop?

Thanks!