I'm in wide open Wyoming. About 60 miles from yellowstone...I am sure I can get the knife going just because I have help with having the instructor around. And I have seen some of these kids do it and I have a lot more WANT then they do. Do to being older and going back to college it's very different then going as a kid..lol..I am leaning towards a "full" damascus instead tho..not sure if it is easier or not. But I will have all kinds of tools and equipment at my disposal. I'm not sure why he starts us out with this project but I am also going to enroll in blacksmithing, just because this stuff really has me interested. But his class is more a welding class then anything. I really think with what advice I have gotten from you guys I can be successful to a point. I'm sure it wont be the best knife I will ever make but what a experience starting out this way. LDW.............GOT14U What part of the world are you in?