I think that grinders were able to wear only the edge, without striping the sides or the back of the razor.
Or perhaps they could polish it with a leather wheel and polishing pastes after the work of the stone.
It's my opinion, but without seeing a picture of a vintage catalog showing this kind of blade new, I can get myself used to see those as razors originally shaped this way.
http://r14.imgfast.net/users/1414/52...3036403367.gif
How are the angles when you put those new looking razors on the stone ? Are the back and the edge both in contact with it ?