1) does any one use the suede side of the leather strop, either unpasted or if with paste, which one? (that is, if the back of your leather strop is exposed and is suede).

2) what oil do you use to apply powdered compounds to balsa, linen, felt or leather?

I understand neatsfoot is the best for leather, but had anyone tried mink oil, mineral oil, coconut oil, etc? I've got some pure coconut oil I was tempted to experiment with, to paste a backup leather strop with CrO2.