[Elecraft] Key, Keyer, Paddle etc. Recommendation?

[Kirby J. Davis]

OK... now for a really stupid question...

Now that I've about finished the base rig what do I do about a=
 key or 
keyer or paddle...? I haven't worked any CW in about 15 years but=
 
would like to get back into it (even though my K2 will probably 
operate mostly SSB). The only thing I have from back then is an=
 old 
(straight?) key that my father-in-law gave me (the key has the 
designation "J30" on the black base under the key).

Here's my question:

If you had (1) just built your very first (and only) HF rig [the=
 
K2!], (2) didn't have a whole lot of extra cash sitting around to=
 
spend (see (1)), and (3) wanted to become proficient in CW using=
 the 
K2... What would you purchase? Would/could/should you just use=
 the 
straight key?

No, I haven't done my homework yet... I don't know what is=
 available, 
what the pros/cons are for different types/models of keys, or=
 what 
folks are using with their K2's (and K1's). I'm going to spend=
 some 
time looking at eham.net, going back through the reflector=
 archives, 
etc. to get up to speed on it but wanted nevertheless the ask you=
 
folks first.

Any suggestions as to which way I should go?

73 and thanks for the great help as always!

.. Kirby (KB4UTZ)