I never received the magic six, but in the third form I got two 2 stroke canings and one 3-stroke caning. In the fourth form I got one 3 stroke caning and one 4 (4 of the best) stroke caning. Going on my experience of that four of the best I’d say that six strokes would hurt six times worse than a one stroke caning. As far as I can recall no one at the school I went to ever got a one stroke caning.
Yes i also noticed that most canings given in my schooldays were even numbers although my first time i got 3, after that it was 4, 4, and last time the dreaded 6. I remember the first time i got it i was so scared and it hurt like crazy, not that the following times were any better, although i at least knew what to expect but taking 6 was such an ordeal and so painfull, then again just one stroke, never given, would have been enough to make my eyes water which it always did and more!