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Tried a gas forge for 6 years before switching to coal. Night and day difference.
I was dead set on gas. Cleaner, easier, no mess. Then I went to a demo at a shop in Portland where the guy was using a coal forge. He let me try it for an hour on a set of tongs I was making. The heat control is just better. You can actually see the steel's color in the fire and work a smaller zone. Gas felt like using a microwave compared to a stove. Anyone else made the switch and stuck with it?
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leo6032mo ago
Read a blacksmithing forum where a guy said the same thing and never went back to gas.
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grant_ross272mo ago
The "never went back" part is key though - wonder if that guy was working with high carbon steel or just mild stuff. Induction gets way more consistent heat penetration on thicker stock once you dial it in, but for thin blades or decorative twists gas still wins on speed. Kinda depends what you're making more than anything else.
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