So I just finished my third shave. Actually managed to get the chin to get a close shave this time. Very pleased with myself.

I noticed something annoying while stropping though. its "smiling". The sides of the strop touch the razor, but the middle is lowered. So, I'm thinking I need to solve that.

It is a brand new "illinois" strop from classicshaving.com. I had read that new strops were basically ready to go, but I wonder if that is always the case.

Reading on classic shaving it say strops often need a "hand" finish. It also refer's to a "stiff lather". So what does that mean? (my wife is inserting these)

It also talks about using a pumice stone to flatten it. So, just like the ones my wife uses? Or is this something more specific?

Anyways, I've studied up on this a lot, but am still in the dark. Anytips?