I say the fabric needs a good breaking in. And it becomes a very nice strop. I ordered a second one and use it with CR0X. I like the feel of it so much. To break it in I washed it a couple time in the washing machine. Then had to glue the leather piece back on the end. Then took a metal ruler and ran it up and down a bunch of time at 90 degrees to the strop and that softened it right up. Now its not so zippy and I love it. I love the suede strop too.

Congrads on a great buy. He might not be around much longer so I had to buy one myself.