Thread: napped vs smooth leather

I am planning on getting a two sided paddle strop so I can paste one side with diamond paste and leave the other unpasted for finishing. However, the only 3" two sided paddle strop I can find within my budget is "napped" leather on both sides.

Does anyone have an opinion whether it's ok to finish on this sueded/napped leather, or do I really need to finish on smooth leather?

At the moment, I am finishing on my only strop, which is a cheap hanging napped leather strop and it seems to be ok to me (but i have only been using it a few weeks).

Thanks!

I've got this strop. Invisible Edge Products I use crox on the darker side. Then I finish on a smooth leather strop.

The other option could be a modular paddle strop.

Napped leather. I assume that you are looking at the TI paddle. I have two and like them very much. I use the TI paste on the black side and strop on the brown side. Or you could use another paste on the brown side. If you go this route, slowly warm the suede on the paddle with some sort of electric heater so it is not too hot to the touch, vigorously rub with your hand for about 30 seconds, and then apply the paste gently over the entire paddle surface. I turn the TI paste stick sideways (lengthwise) to apply as it gives me a more uniform coverage, and a thinner coating. I then rub it again with my hand.