You should strop 50 laps. 1 up 1 down. On leather. Skip the cloth for now. Too watery isn't going to make it stick. It would be if it is too thick that you would have trouble. Try stropping extra light. Only enough pressure to keep the razor on the strop. Go slow. The strop should be taught. Not tight or slacking. Try shaving again very lightly pressure. If that doesn't work I would recommend trying to meet someone in NJ or sending your razor to someone to "test shave" and can rehone. Have them send it back to you. And shave without stropping.