I really like the SRD Premium IV that I bought. I am also new to stropping but I have yet to knick the leather....I have done at least 500 passes so far without a problem. I like the fact that if I do cut it on accident, I can replace the leather for about $30 without replacing the whole strop. So, this strop could very well last me my whole life. For me this strop is easier to use than my previous beginner strop because it is the width of the blade. This eliminates alot of the side to side motion that could cause destruction...