The problem with trying to weld 5160 is the chromium content which will cause it to form a film of chromium oxide on the surface of the steel unless you block the oxygen from getting to it. Not an easy thing, or even possible to do in a regular forge. The 5160 is rather low in chromium so I've heard of people of welding it to a non-chromium steel but trying to weld it to itself presents a problem. I definitely agree with Ed. Get some mild steel down at the tool-in-a-box store and weld something like the 1080 that he mentioned into the front end. You could just get something like 4140, bend it around, and weld it together. Then refine the eye with a drift.
Doug
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