Is it my stropping that is letting me down?

[Jeltz]

Mineral oil - Baby oil is fragranced mineral oil.

Not that I use it I just dry, strop and store in a draw in the bedroom

 

[FrenchBlade]

What oil would I use on my straight? I assume this is to prevent the possibility of rusting.

Parafin oil is fine, you can get the kind used for sowing machines, nice and neutral.

Max

 

[Arrowhead]

I don't use it: the bridle leather strop is enough to reassure me. Nonetheless, it is a good idea and can do no harm, and is pretty much essential if you plan storing any plain carbon steel item for any length of time. WD40 is an excellent choice, and I don't give a damn what anybody says about the smell - it's a water displacer and that's what the WD stands for. A cloth sprayed with that and put in a jar should see you right for years. The sophisticated choice is camellia oil as used by Japanese woodworkers and swordsmiths for centuries, and it smells better.