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¼ inch MDF works well for paddles, 12 inches is plenty of area for a paddle. I like the ¼ inch thickness as they are easy to store, drill a ½ inch hole through one end and hang or stack in a drawer,...

So first leather is leather. Different leathers will provide some what different results, mostly draw. I am always surprised by how well suede polished a bevel, but worry about the edge. It does work...