Like most guy's you are not reading the instructions. Who need's instructions.... you do, that's who. I am not being an ass, just re-focus, you do not want to waste your money. Strops help with maintaining the razors edge yes. You are getting ahead of yourself with the pastes and sprays. Don't worry about that stuff yet. You are correct about the grit on the stones. Ol BeBerlin had a start up list somewhere. It is imperative you do more research.. Check out the Wki section, I hope this helps.