I'd suggest either the double-strop or "poor mans strop" from Whippeddog.com.

I'm a newbie too, and impatient (i guess) and I have nicked the crap out of my strops. The first one looked like a well used kittens playtoy. The second one is holding up OK. The next one I get will be a nicer one.

The cheap ones from whippeddog work just fine and they are very affordable. I'd actually suggest getting the double one. If you graduate to a more premium strop you could always use the cheaper one for pasted stropping etc.