I tried to combine the netherite with a diamond sword. I have no problem crafting the other nether items, it's just the netherite tools, i can make blocks and ingots. Is combining tools not available until 1.16.2 for BR edition?

 the netherite wasn't combining with a diamond sword, then crafting any netherite tools wouldn't work. There is no problem crafting the other nether items, such as polished basalt or chiseled Blackstone bricks, the crafting table only shows how to make netherite blocks and ingots, but that's about it.