Thread: Common stropping mistakes?

The hardest part for me so far, and the reason I feel the need to go so slow, is that it's so easy for the blade to not be perfectly flat on the strop. A tiny tiny movement, up or down, of the handle, and the blade is not flat on the strop. Plus, if the strop is twisting in it's swivel a little between or during a stroke, you have to constantly be adjusting the handle of the razor to adjust the levelness of the blade. I have no idea how some of you do it so fast and ensure that the blade stayed perfectly flat through your quick stroke! It's easier if you use some pressure, but to do no pressure and do it, it's hard! I need a lot more practice I think.

As an aside, should I be using soap on my smooth cotton strop from Tony Miller? Or should I just use it as it came (dry)?