+1 on what Mark says.

On cutting strops, I'm somewhat surprised that so many do it when learning. I'm a newbie, too, but only nicked my strop once when (due to my crappy eyesight) saw a spot on my strop. At the end of the stroke, I thought, "What's that???" and then inadvertently jerked my hand and nicked the strop.

If you do what Mark says--make your stroke. STOP. Turn the razor on the spline. Slide the razor up the strop. Flip down on the opposite side. Take your next stroke, and then repeat the process, I don't see how it's possible to nick a strop, IMO. I would think it virtually impossible to nick your strop if you do this.

(Unless you're a dufess like me and go "What's That?" Then, you'll nick your strop).

Moreover, if the scales are loose on the pivot point, slow down! At least for me, a loose scale-pivot point means lack of control over the razor, and this could increase the possibility of nicking the strop.

As well, lack of gimping on the tang makes control more difficult, too. On my razors without gimping, I slow down to maintain control.

I know these things wouldn't bother the experienced guys on the board, but for newbies, slow down when the scales are loose, or the tang lacks gimping. If you don't you'll risk cutting your strop, IMO!

Kent