It sounds like the back of the leather is just the rough flesh side. I would never put a razor on that rough of a surface. Potentially you could strip the surface down and get it to be like a nice suede but it would take a bit of effort. I have a paddle for use with paste, it keeps my hanging strop clean that way. It's a personal preference. You could paste one side of your fabric. Be sure to clean your razor before going from paste to your clean strop surfaces otherwise everything is eventually a pasted strop