It's pointed...its metal...but not quite a weapon.

[A. G. Maisey]

David, I've used coal that I coked myself, manufactured coke, charcoal, and gas. I've also used an oxy torch as a heat source for forging, and propane and oxy blown into a brick enclosure as a heat source for forging.

I like coke the best because I find it the easiest to work with.

Gas is very, very easy. Welding in a gas forge is like making a cake, but easier. Anybody can weld in gas. However, I personally do not like gas, and I have never been able to heat treat successfully with gas. Coke is very easy to heat treat with.

In my opinion the best set up is to have a gas forge to weld with, and a coke forge for all other work.

[katana]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

David,
Gas is very, very easy. Welding in a gas forge is like making a cake, but easier. Anybody can weld in gas. However, I personally do not like gas, and I have never been able to heat treat successfully with gas. Coke is very easy to heat treat with.

In my opinion the best set up is to have a gas forge to weld with, and a coke forge for all other work.

Thank you very much for the advice Alan, I think that is a good compromise between 'traditional' and 'practical'

David