Thread: My old charcoal forge

Before I destroy it to make room for my new propane forge build, I wanted to show people my old charcoal forge. This is very easy to make, and very cheap as well. In my opinion, if you don't have access to an existing forge, this is a good way for a beginner to start.

Just shows what one can do with a little ingenuity!


Mike

Charcoal works perfectly for normal forging. But managiing the interal hotspot at forge welding Heat is tricky I've burned steel more than once, including wootz. I did that wootz and damascus composite in this charcoal fire. But it was nerve wrecking and i don't want to continue this hassle. Especially since my next projects will feature wootz from alfred pendray

Originally Posted by Bruno

Charcoal works perfectly for normal forging. But managiing the interal hotspot at forge welding Heat is tricky I've burned steel more than once, including wootz. I did that wootz and damascus composite in this charcoal fire. But it was nerve wrecking and i don't want to continue this hassle. Especially since my next projects will feature wootz from alfred pendray

That would definitely be one I would like to see! Would the steel look the same as the other wootz steel, or would it have a different look to it?

Mike

Was my machete forged in there?

Originally Posted by mglindo

That would definitely be one I would like to see! Would the steel look the same as the other wootz steel, or would it have a different look to it?

Mike

To be honest I don't know yet. There are only 3 other razors made from that steel, and none of them were really polished and etched to bring out the best pattern possible. That is no disrespect to whoever etched them. Wootz is muy different from other steels when it comes to etching. The timing is good as well. I always said I'd never forge Pendray wootz in charcoal because of the risk.

2 weeks after I decide to build a new propane setup, that suddenly happens

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Was my machete forged in there?

Tbh I don't know. I rebuilt that forge at least 3 times over the past couple of years. First it was an old round bbq that I built like that, and then it was this one that got rebuilt a couple of times.

Originally Posted by Bruno

To be honest I don't know yet. There are only 3 other razors made from that steel, and none of them were really polished and etched to bring out the best pattern possible. That is no disrespect to whoever etched them. Wootz is muy different from other steels when it comes to etching. The timing is good as well. I always said I'd never forge Pendray wootz in charcoal because of the risk.

2 weeks after I decide to build a new propane setup, that suddenly happens

That is so cool. I may want to have one of those Damascus/Wootz razors made for me sometime this year. The ones you made recently sure had me drooling. Heck, maybe one with Pendray steel although that will sure be pricey I'll bet. I told the wife I would definitely stop there if I got one of them. Probably.


Mike