Swords are one of the last things you should make as a beginner. A kitchen knife is a great place to start, but even before that you need to build yourself a forge. That's pretty easy as well, although tools for proper forging can be expensive and will continue to be until you can forge them yourself. Keep in mind that swordsmithing is not just a facet of forging. Any blacksmith will be able to make you a sword (or at least a very usable blade), so I recommend first learning how to build, use, and operate a proper forge before making a blade.
I agree with above statements: find a master blacksmith and learn the properties of metals. You won't be able to simply throw a thermometer at a piece of metal and say "look at that, it's ready to be hammered out...", it's a look, a feel, and swordsmithing is an art form.
Learn how to make a horseshoe. Then, learn how to make some tools. When you can make a horseshoe perfectly twice, you'll be ready to start working with steel.
That said, here is my contribution for the beginner's knowledge:
Iron is the most rudimentary metal to use. It has hundreds of applications and is relatively easy to obtain.
Steel is harder to work and much more tricky to forge, owing to the fact that if forged improperly, steel will be as brittle as glass or not workable at all.
Titanium is NOT a sword metal. It will not take or hold an edge, and is very tricky to balance. You don't have the proper equipment to work titanium. Ever.
Mithril is not real.
Adamantium is not real.
A good swordsman will always do well with any balanced blade, regardless of the metals used.
Become a swordsman. A real swordsman. You can't construct a sword until you know how one works.
Do some research. Answer me this question : what is carbon steel? what is spring steel? They're both integral parts of making a sword. How would you achieve those metals with your forge?
Sometimes, a sword blade is forged in two pieces. Why?
Figure this stuff out, and I'll teach you more.
