So I have had about 3 shaves from my straight razor so far (just cheeks and sideburns still) and I'm feeling a bit down in what I've been getting.
I bought it shave ready and just started shaving that first time, but have stropped before (about 20 laps) the other shaves. It hasn't been the closest shave.
I think I can put some blame on my technique, I think I'm still stroking too awkwardly as I'm still really new. But then I got to thinking maybe it was my stropping too.

So the strop I bough is a Dovo Best Russian Leather strop with Linen on the other side. And since I've never owned a strop before, I was wondering how it should feel? The leather side is really light and smooth:
Picasa Web Albums - Frank
Not a rough feeling at all. Is this okay?

I haven't used the linen side yet, since I'm under the impression I should not be doing that everyday.