Checked the crack gain on both sides of the razor,and used a straight edge for guidance. Found it stopped (at least what I could see with the naked eye) about 1/8" below the level of the tang. Marked out a shape to grind out to and decided to give it a go grinding the blade carefully.
As they say nothing ventured nothing gained, so with heart in mouth clamped the blade into my vice grips touched it to the grinder at about 45 degrees angle a few seconds at a time, and very carefully cut away the damaged area.
Heeding the caution of so many here stopped and checked heat buildup each time I stopped, thankfully it did not go past being a little warm to the touch. After about 10 minutes the rough shaping bit was done. I saw no sign of the crack so decided to do more shaping work.
Clamped the blade in the bench vice and spent about 30 minutes shaping out the blade some more - used the dremel with a small drum sanding wheel and a light touch on the metal - it seemed to work out OK with the rougher parts now smoothed out.
Next will be the hand filing work to take the burrs of and finalize the new blade shape. That's a job for another day as the wife informs me it's time to stop playing with razor shaped objects and give her some help getting dinner sorted out. :(
Will post some pics later time permitting.