Originally Posted by
Ozarkedger
Zim,
Don't let the texture of quality finished leather put you off. I'm a strop maker and wet shaving instructor. Your razor will not be negatively affected by the textured surface as long as the surface is smooth as I clearly see in your photo. I routinely use water buffalo to teach stropping to beginners and it works really well. All leather has texture because it is real animal skin originally. Stropping effectiveness is not determined by texture or the absence of texture. Technique has more to do with the end result of stropping than the substrate used.