My first advice to a person with stropping problems, whether you're using a hanging strop, a paddle strop or a bench strop, think of a feather light touch as you strop. Imagery is key to physical action. You want to hear nothing or the slightest sound as you strop, that helps em-bed the feather light touch in your mind and muscle memory.

Sensitive to soap/cream ingredients are not rare. Soaps/creams are often loaded with ingredients that enhance the product but are also common irritants. The major ones that I know of are menthol, eucalyptus, Shea butter. And for some, the use of the alum block adds to the irritation level after the first sting. Also, alcohol in aftershaves is a problem for some.