I usually do 50/50 linen/leather. I prefer horsehide to latigo, as I don't care for too much draw. If I use pressure it is on the spine with the flip keeping the edge light on the strop. I do an X stroke when I strop. I used to do linen and leather after the hone because it seemed I got a higher percentage of positive HHT results when I did. The 1961 barber manual excerpt recommends leather only following the hone and I began to follow that advice with equal results in the HHT and the shave.