it seems to work better to use the suction action than the pushing. at least at first to dislodge the clog. I have found that you can cause it to burp some nasty water up out of the toilet if the clog is pretty secure - you push hard or fast and bloop, that water splashes back at you in stead of going down. better to push gently and than pull back with more strength.

As I'd sometimes have to go as fast as I could, for as long as I could and as hard as I could pushing and pulling.

The worst place to go on toilet service calls was a senior citizen's home where they apparently were taking pills that had the side effect of turning their crap into rock.

Edit: But in most cases, your method is best as it makes less of a mess.

than muscling the thing halfway down the drain do.

I have both types of plunger, also. The black rubber type is best for the kitchen sink since it fits the drain perfectly. I fold that part up if I've cleaned the other plunger for a different use but I need to send something obstinate down my ultra low flow desert toilet.

The pliable plunger is super for washing things in a bucket when the washing machine conks out.