This is Katana 1 towards the end of stage 2. Soon I can drill the mekugi hole and begin polishing it!
(Technically not my first katana blade, but the first of a recent line)

Stage 1 is forging
Each blade will be cold forged by hand out of bailing wire to establish the size and curvature.
Stage 2 is shaping
The blade's point, tang, and edge will be roughed out.
Stage 3 is polishing
The final stage before assembly is the polishing where the blade is hand ground to a high luster and razor sharp edge.