I prefer to use the rough side (traditionally called the Russian side from their split leather strops) with heavy pressure to bring the edge to a mirror shine, then use the smooth side for the final few licks.Been searching for an answer to my question and I think that I found it in the comments to a video on leather strop belts. What I found is that the rough side is to the inside and the smooth side is used to strop the knife. Is this correct?