Same! (but more side gig for me) It was pandemic hobby. Started out just making a chefy with a custom handle for my wife from a premade blank. Did the next one by hand with a file and a little home made forge, then went all in on a belt grinder, evenheat kiln etc.
The material science side of the blade is a blast - but one of my favorite bits is actually all the variety in handle materials. https://gcarta.bigcartel.com/products has some amazing patterns.
The material science side of the blade is a blast - but one of my favorite bits is actually all the variety in handle materials. https://gcarta.bigcartel.com/products has some amazing patterns.