I took me years to warm up to the deep, top cutout on the Alaskan. I preferred something more along the lines of this altered blade..."then"... No more! The shop had it right all along. Just "USE ONE" and you will fall in love with that deep, notched rear top portion of a Model #11, regardless of blade length.
The 4 1/2 " offering, along with the 5" is 1/4" stock. I prefer the 4", forged out of 3/16th myself. Try it...you'll like it!
Best, Capt. Chris
PS: Examples below: #11-4" and the #28, "Woodsman", if you should "not" like the cutout...CCS