So I am still a newbie at this. I've only shaved a half dozen times or so, but eventually I am going to need to do something more than just strop my razor.

I don't really like the idea of a pasted strop... I can't really explain it, I just would really rather not bother if I can avoid it

So my question is, if I get a hone (12K or so?), could I use that instead of a pasted strop? Would a 12K and then stropping on fabric and leather bring my blade back to as sharp as it can be, or would my edge really suffer if I left out the pasted strop routine?

Anybody out there who uses just a hone and unpasted strop?

Thanks again for all your advice SRPers, your making my learning curve much shorter than it could have been.