I don't know about current barbers, but the old-timers had a lot of shaves to get through. In addition, they did many many shaves per day, whereas we do one a day if we are lucky. I've no doubt they developed keen insights into stropping with regards speed, tension, number of laps etc under those conditions that have taken us years to ponder. Plus they were trained, of course.

I'm in the same boat - I rarely do more than say 20 laps before or after a shave. But I do them each and every time. No skipping of the stropping.

Personally I think if you want to be strop-happy, go for your life. You aren't hurting anything, and you are gaining valuable muscle memory.

James.