1. Rubbing it with the palm of your hand is fine. Other than that, the simple rule is if you wouldn't put it on your skin, don't put it on your strop.

2. I do it daily, applied with a finger and wiped off with a tissue. Oil is cheap, razors are expensive...it's cheap insurance.

3. Bathrooms gather humidity and can rust a blade. I store mine in the living room up on the mantle. If you have kids, keep them up high.

4. Soaps are generally mixed in the bowl containing the soap to gather up some and them lathered on the face. Creams are lathered in a separate bowl and then applied. There are no rules....if it works, go for it, experiment, have fun.