It's more a question of personal preference and the type of blade you're honing. Some people love using a leather strop for putting a fine edge on a blade. Barbers have done it with razor blades for more than a hundred years. But preparation can be a bit of a nuisance, and like all sharpening techniques, it takes time to master. Also, the natural “give” in leather isn’t suitable for chisels or heavy blades like machetes and cleavers.