Want to jump in, but frustrated with equipment choices

[Bufford]

Patience, practice, time and acceptance of failure are more important than the machinery in the shop. It took me years before I considered my work acceptable, and even after having put in close to 30 years I still have to accept faults. We all reach a level or plateau at some point in knifemaking or whatever one pursues, some progress further, some don't, others give up entirely. Its not something you can achieve over a weekend, but rather a lifetime. Many of the makers here you will notice have a lifetime under their belt and are still learning. Take your time, rushing it cannot be hidden as it is not possible to do so without injury to your work or your person.