Hello gents!

Better late than never, I am just learning the immense value of strops and their proper use. Until now I have had a strop and been using it for a few years but with less success than others seem to have in maintaining an edge between honing... so I found myself wanting to refresh my edge on the hones sooner than i should.
I'm going to make or buy a paddle strop. Can you guys fill me in on:
1. What is the rough leather used for as opposed to the smooth leather.
2. Is it good to have different paddles and strops for different pastes? And also have a strop free of paste...?
3. What have I not asked that is pertinent?

Thanks for the info. This is something I've seriously overlooked and am going to figure out!