Stopped by an old forge in Lancaster County last weekend

Honestly, I was driving through Amish country near Intercourse, PA and saw this beat up little forge with a sign out front. I pulled over and talked to the old guy who owned it, been working there since 1967. He still uses a post vise from the 1800s and does all his hot work over a coal forge, no gas torch in sight. It really got me thinking about how much we rely on modern tools and power tools now. Made me want to track down an old anvil and try some traditional forging myself. Any of you guys ever go back to the old ways for a job?

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ben4864mo ago

Using a coal forge teaches you patience since you wait for the metal instead of rushing it with a torch.

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umac714mo ago

...and honestly, that old guy in Lancaster was telling me the same thing @ben486 said, about how coal forges slow you down in a good way. He told me he can tell the temperature of his steel just by watching the color, no gauge needed, and he's never been wrong in 50 years. I've been watching some videos on traditional forge welding since I got back and it's wild how much skill goes into something that simple. Makes you wonder if we're all just overcomplicating things with all this fancy gear.

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