There is one thing I would say about purchasing a ban saw to cut tool steel. Same thing goes for my band saw, it has never skipped beat and it is about 12-15 yrs. That’s a great price on the “Enco” band saw! I have heard some pretty positive things about Enco.Since you have all been so helpful, I might press my luck and ask if the group has an opinion on an “Index” mill.
This DeWalt little band saw has a compact footprint and is lightweight and easy to use, making it ideal for cutting in difficult-to-reach areas. The metal band saw can cut up to 2-inch SCH 40 pipe with its 2-1/2-inch cutting capacity. The cutting surface of this 5×15-inch bench-top band saw allows it to cut materials up to 13.5 inches wide and 12 inches high.
Steel: The “Welding steel” at Tractor Supply/ Lowes/ Home Depot is mild steel and useless for knives Buy new, known, annealed blade steel. Use commercial quench oil & match oil speed to the steel type Here is a good post by Kevin Cashen with the Explanation and classification of oil speeds. For heat treating yourself with minimal equipment, find a Eutectoid steel 1080, 1084.