It's called a
knife, and was (is) actually used for cutting extremely thin slices of scientific samples. So thin, that light can shine true for inspection with transmitted light microscopy.
Originally these are sharpened from one side only, like a chisel. The flat side needs to be highly polished,otherwise it wont take a fine edge, because the scratches at the unhoned side would cause edge imperfections.
The problem for shaving is dual:
1. the bevel angle is only half of a typical bevel angle on a razor. That allows for extreme sharpness, at the cost of edge durability. Certainly for shaving beard hairs at an angled angle. Shaving does not equal cutting tissue samples.
2. It would need to be used with a different shaving angle at either side of the blade: twice as high when the flat side touches the skin.
People have succeeded in shaving with them. I know JimmyHAD, who's a member that occasionally posts here, but resides mostly on www.straightrazorplace.com, has successfully honed and shaved with one (or more?).
Best regards,
Bart.