Sorry, more of an abstract thought really...

I have read that one of the main reasons to hone with a x pattern is to create microscopic striations in the blade at an angle which helps with cutting (also to ensure good heel to toe coverage .. which incidentally means that the centre of the blade gets double the grinding on a thin hone?!).
If this is correct then surely it is important to strop in the opposite direction to which the blade was honed as I have also heard that stopping is done to straighten the blade and align the striations.

So If you hone left to right (blade forward) then you should strop right to left (blade backwards). (assuming the scales are held on the same side)

I only question this because I believe my stropping is appalling and am trying to improve but since I havn't as yet developed a technique I often strop with different hands and in different directions.

Also if the above is correct then how can you ensure (without a microscope) that you are stropping in the correct direction for a blade honed by someone else?

Cheers Sillyfishyboy.