A method can comprise forming a component comprising a first mating surface; coupling the component to an airfoil having a second mating surface and a Field Assisted Sintering Technology (“FAST”) system; heating, via the FAST system, the airfoil and the component; and applying, via the FAST system, a mechanical pressure between the first mating surface and the second mating surface to join the airfoil to the component and form a blade, the component at least partially defining a leading edge of the blade in response to joining the airfoil to the component