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TIL switching forge fuels showed me how blacksmithing tools have improved | Blacksmiths - Opinions Matter

TIL switching forge fuels showed me how blacksmithing tools have improved

I got into blacksmithing about ten years ago using a basic coal setup. Coal was messy, but it felt right for making things like hooks and tools. Then I tried a propane forge a couple years back, and the difference was huge. With propane, I can heat metal faster and work in my shed without smoke. For example, I recently made a set of garden stakes that came out straighter and cleaner. I still use coal sometimes for the tradition, but propane makes projects easier with kids around. It's cool to see how small changes in gear can make a big difference.

3 comments

3 Comments

the_andrew7mo ago

Man, my buddy Dave had the same thing happen. He fought with a coal forge for ages, always complaining about the soot on his projects, like this decorative hinge that came out grimy. Then he caved and got a propane set up last fall. I mean, the difference was wild. He showed me this leaf-shaped knife he made, and the finish was just cleaner, way less time spent cleaning up compared to before. Idk, it just seems like the new gear lets him focus more on the shape instead of fighting the heat.

matthews217mo ago

Totally! Propane is just cleaner work, no doubt about it. You spend less time scrubbing off soot and more time actually making things. It's not even about being new gear, it's about having control. The heat is just there when you need it, steady and ready. Makes the whole process less of a fight and more about the craft. Your buddy's story just proves the point, right?

zara_campbell97mo ago

I get the appeal but come on, it's not like coal forges are impossible. Matthews21 makes it sound like a total game changer, but plenty of amazing work came from them for centuries. Maybe Dave just got better at his craft around the same time he switched.