I have a linen component on my strops which is very smooth. It doesn't really do anything, except clean. Warrens (Aces) I've seen also and it is on the rough side. It would be too rough for me. I developed stropping improvement on a bath towel, better than my strop, so I understand the concept. But, just like hones, strops, and razors they are not all created equally. I recommend them when purchasing a strop but prefer not to describe them as essential especially to all the well shaved gentlemen I meet who have never used one.