I've been using my new TM horsehide strop for a couple of weeks now, and I am wondering about whether or not it is a good idea to avoid stropping over the trademark (or maker's mark) stamp at the top of the strop. It seems like a bad idea to do so, so I have been avoiding running the blade across the bumpy embossed section of the strop. It seems a terrible waste. That stamp renders about two inches of the strop unuseable. It may look pretty, but there must be other places where he could stamp his mark that wouldn't interfere with the purpose of the strop. Perhaps on the handles? Am I doing the right thing staying clear of the mark while I strop?