First shot at making a paddle balsa strop

I have yet to have my first straight shave but while waiting on my starter kit from Gugi. I was doing a lot of research and decided to take a stab at making a paddled balsa strop. It's pretty much the same design as Slartibartfast's Wiki but I stained mine.

Here is what I started with:
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ZQeMCpW5NCY/Sm...2/IMG_0001.JPG

I found a broken porch spindle so I got it for 50% off from Lowe's

After some trimming and sanding both spindles were stained and a hole was drilled in the handle.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ZQeMCpW5NCY/Sm...6kk/s400/5.JPG

A word of advice when you make a pattern on your balsa wood for lapping purposes be careful. I made my pattern with a pencil and it was not showing up well so I pressed harder and actually scored the wood.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ZQeMCpW5NCY/Sm...5z0/s512/2.JPG


Here is what I came up with for the finished product:
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ZQeMCpW5NCY/Sm...GdQ/s400/1.JPG

Here is a close up of the one on the right:
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ZQeMCpW5NCY/Sm...%20%283%29.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ZQeMCpW5NCY/Sm...%20%282%29.JPG



If anyone is interested in this one send me a message
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ZQeMCpW5NCY/Sm...2/IMG_0005.JPG



As you can tell both strops are without any paste. I have some Crox .5 and 1.0 diamond spray on it's way and will paste the one I am keeping. The other one can come blank or with the .5, 1.0 or both.