I dont recall anyone ever mentiont just to get a paddle strop I think it was always to get the regular strop first and then get a paddle strop ASAP since you will need it for touch up.

As far as Tonys strops, second quality, first quality whatever....they are great, I always by first quality because almost everything I get from him is a custom order, but ya know what...I still find that I nick the damn thing from time too time so who really cares if it doesnt look as pretty when you get it if you by second quality...chances are you are going to ugly it up on your own anyway!