The one I'm making is .245 thick, just about 1/4 inch, and I made it with a 11 inch blade. I have to weigh it on my postal scale, but it is heavy, and should give me good lamb and mutton chops without having to find cartilage or using the saw.

I put a spring temper thru the ricasso and up the spine a bit, and the edge should go about 52-55 Rockwell hardness.

I'm making it with a sort-of 1 1/3 hand handle, so I can get a tw-hand grip on it for really heavy work, but it still has a good one-hand balance.

I have to decide what to use for handle scales. I have some mountain maple and serviceberry I cut on the ranch here, and also some busted gunstocks. Not sure yet.