Gentlemen:
Some habits never die in the world of wet shaving with the straight razor. I started with a 2" strop, where I learned to use the X-pattern. Then I moved to a 2.5" strop, and continued the X-pattern. Now I have a 3" strop, as well as the 2/5", and still do the X-pattern. If a 5" strop comes along, I'll probably do the X-pattern on it, too. It's most comfortable for me. I know that, with all the profound happenings around the world, using the X-pattern on a 3" strop is about as important as an ant drunk on Margaritas, but stropping is important stuff in traditional shaving. Tell me, when stropping, do you find yourself with habits that never die?