Interesting note about using a single backward stroke there Argus.
I've been using the really cheap ebay diamond plates for a while now, which have a grid pattern
and noticed some chipping going on, but never can be sure of the cause, as I do as much metalwork in the workshop as woodwork, so could be some issue there,
I do clean them off before use obviously, so have an idea its the grid pattern which is causing this.
Must try an see how I get on trying this out before moving onto the good diamond hone, as
even very light pressure has proved to be problematic for me on these hones.
Cheers
Tom