Hi Stu, some Circular strokes and even short back and forth strokes for me on lower grits work great to move metal quick. When you get to the 4k level and beyond is where the "art" of honing begins IMHO.

The stone is the tool and the edge is the actual art. Different stokes give a different edge that feels different on the face. Hard to explain to folks who don't hone but it has to be very obvious for those of us who enjoy it so much.