I shall attempt to use left hand next shave and see how that goes, if i don't reply for a few days someone please send an ambulance around my place and hopefully ill have enough blood left to pull through!
as for stropping, i'm applying as little pressure as possible and trying to lead with the spine so that the edge is just trailing behind and sliding across the leather, this gives a slight sound like Matt is describing, i hope this sounds correct, please let me know if it's not.
I have also heard people say that you should not shave with the same blade in two days as it needs to rest, is this true?