If you on a budget get a inexpensive strop to start out with as you will most likely nick your first strop when learning. Later in time after you get the hang of it you can get a better one. At least thats my thinking YMMV. I have also heard of gents using newspaper to strop with not sure if you can use that trick for the long haul but should get you by for a bit.

G'luck and enjoy the journey.