Hi all, i'm a noob!

I've spent alot of time looking into this, and i'd like to thank this site for the information you all provide.
I know theres alot of ways to get started, personaly i'm diving in with an old Marples and co razor. I've been honeing my work tools for years so i'm optimistic with this.
My problem is after looking over all of your advice i still can't figure out the correct strop. I know you have to hold the hanging strop taught, so why is it not better to use a paddle strop thats allways taught. I have looked at all of tonys strops and they all look good, so any advice here would be appreciated befor i spend LOL

Thanks