Maybe I got a bad sharpener. I did exactly as you say. and took the edge completely off and would not even cut paper. It is trash as far as I am concerned and will send them my review. I will just continue to buy blades and trying some off the wall cheap ones that will be here Monday. Harbor Freight won't deliver to a PO Box so have to find out if they use UPS or USPS. If it is postal service then I won't use them