Sorry I missed this one up to this point..
One suggestion for checking edge thickness is a piece of sheet metal or thin steel with a band saw or hack saw cut into the edge about 1/4". Depending on the saw blade thickness, it should be .025 - .030. When the edge fits in the slot, it's a good thickness to stop at before heat treating.
Tell you what, Cake....when you get ready for knife #2, drop me a line and I'll send you the materials...steel, handle material, handle bolts, and the drill bit needed for them.
Just let me know. Of course, by the time you finish this one, you may not want to try another....
