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A guy at the county fair asked me why I still use a coal forge
I was doing a demo at the Franklin County Fair last fall, working on a simple leaf keychain. This older man watched for a while, then asked, 'Why bother with the coal when a gas forge is so much easier?' I told him I liked the control and the feel of the heat. He just nodded and said, 'I guess some things you do for the soul, not just the speed.' That stuck with me. Do you think there's a real place for coal forges in modern shops, or is it mostly for show now?
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webb.ben27d ago
Tell that guy he's never really felt heat until he's sneezed into a coal forge and scared yourself half to death with the fireball. Sure, gas is faster and cleaner, but where's the character in flipping a switch and getting perfect heat every time? Your mileage may vary, but I'll take a little grit over instant gratification any day of the week.
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mila_harris1mo ago
Ever try to explain why you still use a flip phone? It's like that. Some tools just feel right, even if they're not the fastest.
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rosebarnes1mo ago
Totally get it! My old camera is like that. It takes forever to focus but the photos just look better. New stuff feels too slick sometimes. You lose that real connection with what you're doing. I'll take a tool that feels good in my hands over a fast one any day.
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