do i really need to paste a new strop?

i just got a llinois Razor Strop 2.5" x 23" Imperial Russia strop. do i really need to put paste on it?

The short answer is no! What number strop did you get?

Absolutely not. You may find this article useful: Strop treatment and repair - Straight Razor Place Wiki

No need to paste, especially if said strop is your primary-before-each-shave strop. That strop should be without abrasives (paste). The pastes come into play if you want a polishing or touch-up step after the honing stone.

If you mean the non-abrasive conditioning paste, that isn't strictly necessary either - provided you are getting some draw from the leather. If the strop is new, give it some time to bed in first before you do anything to it - its characteristics will change. There are a few tricks to breaking it in - see the aforementioned wiki article.

Regards,
Neil

thanks guys ;)

the part number is irs827

the sieze numbers are 2.5x23