Definitely thinning from the back side. The surface texture is what Im after. I read in the Library here that 3/8 was used on larger blades. I might thin down to that and see. The fronts are relatively smooth and even with the exceptions of the growth lines. Even just temporarily pinching them together. At 1/4 inch each slab, it makes for a massively wide weapon to wield around ones face.

I was wondering if the wedge would put to much pressure on the growth grooves causing them to fail and snap. Do you think I should stick to flat wedge instead of a traditional wedge?