Thanks for the update MetroMedic, I received my items today as well! I have the big daddy strop and needed to break it in using a felt deep massage every time I shave for about 1.5 months. Read about breaking in your strop because the shaves improve as the leather becomes more supple.

I have been trying a hot water stropping method and have noticed my razor seems smoother; you can read about that method here: http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...th-1829-a.html

Thanks Martin for that article along with many others you have posted. My shaves have improved as a direct result of reading, testing and applying the shaving concepts found in those old magazines!