I'm going to throw this out and then take a couple of steps back in preparation for the response that may come. I'll admit to having jettisoned two LN bench planes. The reason is not caring for the 1/8th thick iron. For me, it was difficult and more time consuming to grind (Ian Kirby method) and takes longer each time to sharpen due to the ever lengthening secondary bevel.
Having eventually become adept at free hand sharpening the Paul Sellers way, I've come to appreciate thinner irons (Hock, Stanley, aftermarket LV, etc) Due to the slightly convex bevel, don't even need to grind very often and can sharpen in a couple minutes. Now my question?
My fear is having missed the boat in parting with the LN bench planes (3 & 4.5). A friend pointed out that due to the ease of moving the frog forward, I could have kept the thinner blade and the premium plane. Does this sound reasonable to any of you in the know.