LRB is correct. The edge should be geared to the intended use and style of knife. Paul Bos told me that to prevent warping, he prefers .030 or thicker. I grind to about .022 normally, for a hunter. for a fighter .030 works just fine. For a whitteling, or carving knife, I may go as low as .010, heat treat myself, and further refine, and thin when the heat treat is complete. This however requires that the grinds be dead even, both side to side, and for the length of the edge. Otherwise, there may be considerable warpage. Great care also must be exercised in th finish grind and polishing of such a thin edge, or temper loss will occur. On my most finely ground edges, you can flex the edge to the side with just thumbnail pressure. Extremely good heat treat is required for this type of edge to hold up in use however. With a typical flat grind,just about anything will work. Just take care to not leave a sharp edge running along the intended edge to start a stress riser, that could cause a crack in H/T. Flat grinding makes life a whole lot easier in many ways. Its the simplest to produce, and by far the easiest to control in heat treat. If you have the patients, and skill, an deep hollow has its own rewards. Mike
