Thanks for asking the question. I just got a TM 3" strop and also a SRD 3" strop and was wondering if I need to do X pattern.
I decided not to use X pattern at the start and just go straight up and and down. So far it seems to be working for me.
For those that do X pattern on a 3" - have you ever tried just going straight up and down the strop? What differences did you notice in your razor?