do you want to make knives or study metallurgy?
Wayne Goddards books "the wonder of knife making" and "$50 knife shop" will get you started in right direction and still leave you with enough $$ to get some 1084 to work with. its easy enough to work with and heat treat without fancy heat treat ovens. it you need a $200+ metallurgy book to know whats in the steel, youll FOR SURE need a $2000+ oven to heat treat it. you use to be able to get these books on ebay for under $20
books: you can also check local book store (Books-a-million, or barns & noble)
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=50+knife+...b_sb_ss_i_3_13
steel:
https://newjerseysteelbaron.com/shop...-steel/1084hc/
hope this helps