Hey Baker, I'm in the same boat. I just got into straights and have yet to get a strop. I heard Tony was the man and I kind-of want a hanging strop but if I will eventually need a pasted paddle, why not get it first. My only thing is that it's only 1 &1/2 in wide whereas the hanging one is 2 &1/2. That seems better but I know I will want to use the pastes sometime in the near future. Especially if I'm getting my blades from antique shops and honing them myself. It looks like You and I will just have to wait a few more weeks. Incidentally I'm using an old plain leather belt in the interim. Better than nothin.