.....leading you cut off the burr with each stroke and produce a straighter, stronger edge.

I like this idea. Joe was showing how the particles of the stone are forced into the edge and causing a ragged edge. BUT, This also makes for a stronger edge in the end after you progress thru the finer grits. It straightens the impacted edge and refines it straighter. Joe's theory is good and seems to work, but I think by edge leading, you would get a stronger, longer lasting edge.

JMO, from someone still learning. Both ideas are sound. But which one is best? I'd have to go with the way it has been done for decades, edge leading. But what do I know?