First let me be the first to point out how crazy you are...
...
Seriously though, we all get a kick out of your exploits!

Did you think about trying to temper it in coals? I know it's hard to do properly with crude equipment but it sounds like you couldn't have made it much worse unless your really scorched the metal away.

It's often been said that a properly heat treated knife made from crappy metal is better than a knife made from anything, no matter how expensive, if it's not hardened properly.

This is something I would never think to try. I don't even go to the mail box without a knife in my pocket.