Just my own opinion but I quite like doing the X pattern. I've only got a cheap Dovo lookalike with a cotton back but it does the job and I'll be hanging onto it when I upgrade.
I do the stropping before I jump in the bath or shower and if it's after a long day at work the stropping is the start of my wind down.

UP AND ACROSS - FLIP - DOWN AND ACROSS - FLIP (repeat as necessary)

Basically, concentrating on not shaving layers off the strop helps me to leave the day behind.

I've got my eyes on some of Neil Miller's offerings but will have to save.