Paddle strop building advice

As I'm still brand new to the world of SR's along with the bug I've gotten for the hunt of rusty gems at the local antique stores I've also given in to the urge of making my own strops and paddles. I'm fortunate in the Lost Coast of Eureka Ca to have some of the most amazing exotic woods at a very reasonable price. And low and behold i even found the one and only shop in the entire area that sells leather and very good quality at that. But ill start by walking and hope to run one day. I purchased a 4x4 piece of medium tan latigo and also a scrap piece of dark latigo that had its opposite side covered in suede(they were glued together for whatever project they were originally used for, i just happen to benefit from the leftovers). I was curious as i move forward, is the suede worth using on the opposite side of the paddle as the smooth leather side? I'm sure it would accept a paste of sorts but will it perform as well as the back side of the leather will or am i thinking too deeply into this? I look forward to any and all advice as I'm taking notes and absorbing the vast knowledge of the many on this site that are willing to share.
P.S. is it bad that I'm overly excited to make this paddle strop/hanging strop/ and of course the many many scales that i plan on doing in due time?
thanks in advance
Christian