amy154•2mo ago

Struggling with choosing between a coal forge and propane for my setup

I've been going back and forth on this for months now. I started with a coal forge my grandpa gave me, and I love the heat control but man the smoke and cleanup is a hassle. Last week I tried a buddy's propane forge at his shop and it was so clean and easy to start up, but I felt like I couldn't get the same welding heat. Which one do you all prefer for general bladesmith work? Has anyone switched and regretted it?

3 comments

3 Comments

nina_johnson862mo ago

Coal gives you that real forge heat for welding, no question. Propane is way easier on the lungs and cleanup though. If you're mostly doing blades, coal might be the play for that welding control. Ever tried a hybrid setup with both?

the_patricia1mo ago

Read somewhere a hybrid setup can actually give you the worst of both worlds if not dialed in right.

ellis.hayden2mo ago

@nina_johnson86 Hybrid is a waste of time, coal or nothing.