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All strops are stiff if you lay them on a flat surface. It is worth trying before chasing a problem with new equipment.

That would, in its effect, be very similar to an accidentally rounded bevel as I described it. If you search on eBay, under "60x microscope", you will find scores of a very useful little magnifier...

Turning the steel yellow or pale brown won't stop the blade shaving well. That is only what someone must have done in the manufacturing process (though I'm not sure at which particular colour they...