So my barber used to do professional shaves in Italy...for over 20 years. I was asking him about honing, since I can't seem to get it right.

First of all, he said never hone leading with the cutting edge of the blade. He couldn't believe I was doing an x pattern with the sharp edge in front. He hones with the cutting edge trailing. Second, he said to never place the razor flat on the stone. He hones his razor with the spine lifted up slightly, at some random angle.

That makes me wonder - what would the difference be in leading or trailing the cutting edge? I've seen it written that you back hone when the blade is overhoned, by why not do it all the time?