Also, a question about stropping. I am keeping the blade flat (mostly), and have not nicked by leather.
A suggestion, from someone just past you on the experience scale.

Don't worry too much about stropping rhythm, and "keeping the blade moving".

Hold the strop tight, put the spine down on it toward the bottom of the strop. _Gently_ rotate the blade so the edge is in contact with the strop. Move the blade up the strop, with almost all of the (light) pressure on the spine, very little on the edge.

When you get to the top, stop. _Gently_ rotate the blade so the edge is in contact with the strop. Move the blade down the strop . . .

That's one "lap". Repeat 30 times (or more) before shaving. Keep the strop tight _all the time_.

Don't rush it. Your muscles don't have "muscle memory" yet, you've got to use your brain to control the process. Rotating the blade _while it's moving_ involves tricky timing, and leads to nicks in the strop when you're learning the motions.

+1 on not trying to shave off a beard. That's what electric clippers are really good at.

Charles