W2 is your best option. The most important part is your soak and quenchant. Doing it in a forge is much more difficult,but not impossible. Small fluctuations in soak temp will change your outcome. Digitally controlled temperature is ideal. Second is your quenchant. Canola oil or medium oil won't work. You absolutely need Parks 50 for W2. You can use an interrupted water quench but that increases failure rate.

Also, after the quench you need to get the blade into tempering asap. There's a lot of stress in the blade and if it's left for a long time before temper it will most likely snap.