I prefer using coal, but for productivity, and to make a living, I use propane.

I used coal for my first 4-5 years of forging.

I'm glad that's over with.

Like Karl, I started out in coal, for about the first 3 years. Then I moved to Montana. I searched all over the western US for coal that was as good as I was used to....no dice. So I started building propane forges, and have never looked back. In my eyes, propane forges are ideal for Bladesmithing.... and the best part.....no more black boogers! <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

I setup a home made coal forge the weekend before going to my Intro Class. My first three bags of coal, and two bags of coke arrived the day I actually left to North Carolina for the class. Worked the first three days with coal, then natural gas for the rest of the class. Bought a propane forge while up there. Been using it ever since. Solid fuel cost is OK, but the shipping, and handling cost was nearly the same as the cost of each bag in total to South Florida. There is no coal close enough to me for a ready supply. Also being in a small sized city of about 24 square mile with over 240,000 residents the smoke-fire does not go over well with the city. Besides that I have a commercial source for propane that for my BBQ size 20 tanks only charges my $12, and on the 40's the charge is $22. I get 6six small ones, and two large ones every time in down to one on the forge, and one spare. It is easier to control. It's cleaner. Keeps my Fire Department friends from coming by during their duty time, and my LEO customers from being called.

Agreat plus it fits into my small shop a lot better, and I just have it outside my pushup overhead door when working.

I use coal exclusively right now, because it is all I have, and I love the control you can get (more even heat on a blade, isolating the heat to where you are working, etc.). Also, a coal forge limits you less when it comes to awkward shapes, but this is not as important if you are just forging knives. Many blacksmiths prefer coal.

I am plan to switch to propane soon because of the lack of dust and the ease of working multiple pieces at once. Also propane makes welding damascus billets easier.

Gas forge all the way for me. The set temps with little risk of overheating , as well as even heats and the lack of dust!

MP

My son and I used charcoal when in Central and South America, and it was lot of fun. Messy though. And easy to burn a blade in half. And...there were always scorpions hanging out in the charcoal bags, which was sometimes a problem.

Now we use propane--a lot cleaner in and around the shop and we haven't even come close to damaging our steel w/ overheating.'

I do miss the ability to heat odd shaped pieces--the charcoal forge was big and open. But I don't miss the scorpions.

Steve

Thanks for the replys fellas!