making a strop

I am a newbie and interested in making my own strop. I have a piece of skirting leather (basically a piece of heavy belt leather) that is rough on one side and smooth on the other.

I have never seen a store bought strop up close. So my questions are:

Is it ok to use this?

What side would I apply the paste?

I know I could by a strop for a reasonable price but I really like to make my own stuff when possible.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

You sure can, what I suggest is to get a pumice stone and even the nap on the rough side and make it more like a soft suede leather then apply a very light coat of neats foot oil or mink oil to both sides and let it dry 24 hours. The rough side is the side you want to apply your paste be sure to apply it very sparingly rubbing it in.

Thanks Damon.

I am on my way to making a strop.