This looks like the original: http://www.arscives.com/bladesign/tamahagane/main.htm

Also has additional information on it.

And actually, if hacking with computers wasn't so common, it would be perceived as quite awesome, too.

I'm sure you'd like to think so, but unless you have a blast furnace in your garage you're not as cool as this guy, sorry.

How about a CNC mill, laser cutter or reprap? :-)

Yes, unfortunately.

Fascinating article, thanks.