Joe,
Maybe his concern is based on many peoples thinking that the leather surface of even a paddle may slightly round the edge. I know the leathers I use are quite hard and it would take considerable pressure to force the blade down into the plane of the leather surface enough to make it round over.

I have even heard of concerns with the slurry or metal swarf on the surface of a hone being enough to deflect the ultra fine edge of a razor and not sharpen it effectively. While many of us are working to create a slurry others are trying to find ways to prevent it. This is where I first heard of kerosene or naptha being used on Belgian stones because it disperses the swarf easier.
(again, not saying it is righ, just saying I have read the discussion <g>)

Tony