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Leather usually has two sides, the smooth side is the finished side and the other is the unfinished side. We strop on the smooth (finished) side. I would not strop your razor on the unfinished side unless it has been properly finished and pasted. The unfinished side makes a good knife strop either pasted or unpasted.
I get the 6 x 12 HandAmerica honing leather and a 1 x 3 x 24 hardwood piece from Woodcraft. I cut the wood into two pieces. I spray glue the first piece and lay it on the rough side of the leather. When dry, I trim off the 3 x 12 piece of overhanging leather and lay the spray glued second piece of wood on top. Makes two identical 3 x 12 inch bench strops.
HTH
The rough, or suede, side is glued to the wood leaving the smooth side for stropping.
1/2" to 3/4" plywood is also a good non warping choice for a woodrn paddle strop.
Thin pieces of Balsa are available at most craft stores and are really inexpensive.
$5 will buy a 1/4x3x36 inch piece and have money left over.