Hi gents

I've done a search regarding my question but unable to find the exact answer. So i apologize in advance if I'm repeating.
I've been using a double edge for almost 5 years, a feather artist shavette for almost 3 years. I was recently gifted my first straight - a custom carbon steel from koraat knives in austria. I also got the strop-it paddle with leather on 1 side and canvas on the other. Obv I was on top of the moon. Did my usual pre shave routine... Shower, hot water Face towel with eucalyptus essential oils, badger lather with aqua di Parma shaving cream... Stropped 25 laps over leather followed by 15 over canvas side, and started the test shave.

I experienced quite a bit of pulling and tugging and I had to use quite a bit more pressure compared to the fearher artist shavette. Also the shave wasn't as close as what I'm used to. Koraat has sent the razor shave ready they say. Did the hanging hair test which it kinda failed cause the hair didn't exactly slice apart but just scraped and broke after a lot of attempts.

Now the questions....
1. Assuming the blade is actually shave ready... What did I do wrong? Was I not supposed to strop before the first shave. If I was to strop it, did I not strop enough?
2. Assuming the blade is shave ready... Is it normal for it to feel less sharper than the shavette? In which case is it just another learning curve?
3. Assuming the blade is shave ready... What can I do to get it sharper? Do I need to strop more than I did? The strop paddle came with red diamond paste. Should I try stropping with it or is it too soon?
4. If the blade is indeed not sharp enough... What can I do to get it sharper if stropping isn't enough. I live in Dubai and I doubt there is anyone offering honing services. Do I have to send it back to koraat? Considering The freight charges will be prohibitive back and forth is there another alternative?

Peace... Satyen