I picked up a nice old slick, at least I think it is a slick.. 2 7/8 wide with a rib down the middle...what profile would you recommend for the cutting edge? The cutting edge currently has a slight curve. At the workshops on the Pisgah Blood Barn I got to use a slick with this profile and another that was squared off. The corners kept digging in on the one that was squared.

Is it just a matter of preference or is there a "correct" profile for slicks?

I have several old slicks and they all came to me with slight curves. When I purchased a new slick from Barr I hated it untill I rounded the cutting edge.Too much curve can make it difficult to work into corners.
What works best for you is the correct profile.

I agree with Tom -find the profile that works best for you, rounding the corners on a bigger slick will certainly make it easier to slice with... you probably have a chisel with nice square corners to clean into the corners of the joints with anyway?
I have a 2" japanese slick which is kept square and a 3" western slick which is kept rounded......
When you say there is a rib down the center, that makes me think you have an old framing chisel...is it heavy?

The rib or ridge is down the middle of the top side. The ridge right behind the cutting edge is slightly over 1/4 inch tapering to the edges which are about an 1/8th inch....and gets thicker as it goes back to the handle. Overall length is 15.5 inches (socket makes up about 4.5) The good steel goes about 5.5 back from the edge.
It currently has a 3 inch handle or remains thereof....which begs the question, How long should I make the replacement...or is this personal preference again?

Bob

Bob,you seem to have a knack for answering your own questions.My slicks range from 28" to 32" overall length.How long is your tool box? Will it fit without taking it apart? If you have to take it apart and put it togeather repeatedly the handle may become loose. Watch your toes! Don't ask how I know this.
Tom