Take a gander through the stickies at the top of this forum, as there's a lot of really good info there. Do you have any basic tools already?
For just fitting a handle onto a blade, you really shouldn't need anything too elaborate. A small drill press is handy, though pin holes can be drilled by hand if you're careful. Material can be shaped and removed starting with files and rasps, and finished with progressive grits of abrasive paper. A belt sander/grinder is nice, but not necessary.
For cutting rough profiles of the scales before initial assembly, you can use anything from a bandsaw to a scroll saw, jigsaw, coping saw, etc...
Use a good two part epoxy for glue up, and something like corby bolts are a relatively easy way to mechanically fasten them.
When it comes to shaping, try to stay away from the dreaded "block shaped handle". You want a cross section that's almost egg shaped. Not too round, but not too square either.