[ExoticPearTree]

My point was that heating metal over open fire and using tools to keep the fire going is what gives it that medieval allure and makes it to be a bad ass hobby.

[eesmith]

My point is that "open fire" is the wrong phrase. Just say "over a fire."

Medieval blacksmiths did not use an open fire.

I follow a blacksmith who uses a propane-heated forge to make knives and other small items. Here is a picture of the new forge in his workshop: https://ranum.com/badger_forge/2023/05/19/the-new-forge/ Here is a picture of the old forge in use: https://ranum.com/badger_forge/2019/06/04/silver-in-the-forg... . Using coal/charcoal would not make it more bad ass.