Butts2,
I tried to PM but your box is full, so here is my reply.
Rick,
I have not seen the second book you mentioned, but if they recommend it, I do too. Another that I have, which is good for beginners, is "Custom Knifemaking" by Tim McCreight. You will learn some basic designs and construction. After you read this book and make a few, certainly not all of them, you can refine the type and design you prefer to make and that work well with your tools. Let me know if I can do anything. Just holler. Lin