Buying a cheap one off ebay including the sometimes hefty shipping charges will end up with you tossing the strop in the garbage if you decide not to stick with straight shaving. Buying a quality strop from Tony will cost a few dollars more but you can recoup that cost if you decide it's not for you and providing you didn't slice it in half!

Would a cheap strop damage your blade... if it's made from leather, I don't really think so. If it's that important to do things on the cheap, use a flat leather belt (do it inside the house in case you pants fall down...) it'll work well enough if you take it easy. If you do buy one from Tony, get the cheap practice strop... you can use it without having to worry so much about nicking it and you will nick your first strop.... and a few more if you get careless!

It's always cheaper in the long run to buy your last strop first!


Christian