Don't go running off to the Strop Shop yet. I picked up an old Russian Hide strop stamped from a barber's college in Seattle now gone). My mentor helped me rejuvenate it and also recommend a paddle till I felt comfortable stropping. I am a sort of how can I save money while spending (too much) money kind of guy. Lumber yard. Scrap pile. Chunk of approx 3/8 board. Cut to width of strop by about 2 -3 inches shorter. Inserted between front and linen back. Held on with a couple of Velcro straps. Cost, nothing (had the Velcro from years past for something else.} It hangs in bathroom right handy for my shaving process. I have a low humidity b'room. My cats hate a closed door, always scratching at them. Try it. Worked wonders for me.