Hi everyone. First off, I'd like to thank everyone who i've chatted with over the last couple of days. I have been DE shaving for a little while now and was curious about starting to try a straight, and here I am a couple of days later with some new hardware on the way and anxious to get started!

This forum is by far the most generous group I've encountered. So many guys are so willing to help out a noob, its fantastic.

So i'm going to keep taking advantage and ask a question.

I have brushes and creams, and now I have a straight on the way. I need to get a strop and I understand that Tony is the man to get them from. How long would it be before I will need something other than a hanging strop? I'd like to get a hanging stop now, but if it'll only be a month or two before I need to refresh the edge would i be better off getting a 4 sided paddle? Only thing is, Tony won't have those for a couple of more weeks.

Also, while I'm at it. What benefit does the linen strop add that just leather doesn't?