ArtMetal

Hi all, I want to make a texturing tool to fit in the hardy hole of my anvil and don't know what kind of steel to use. I'll be hammering 1"x1/2" solid bar stock hot. Do I need tool steel? If so, can you harden tool steel at home with no special equipment? I just talked to a machinist and he said I would need a special kiln and all. Can I get already hardened tool steel and just weld it to a 1" sqr post? I didn't realize that trying to make such a "simple" tool would be so difficult. Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Jake