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is a charcoal fire fit for heat treating 1084?

I use a charcoal fire pit - I AM NOT a professional - i have made some knives i have been happy with but the more i do it, the more i understand why the pros generally use propane. However i love the charcoal fire, the utter primitive nature of it, i'm not in this to sell knives. I have a kitchen knife i made in my charcoal fire from 80crv2 which is very hard and wasnt terribly warped so i could straighten it. I love using it, but i wont lie, many other kitchen knives i have made just didn't work out. I'm going to advocate for charcoal here but with the context of making for yourself, your friends, for the love of trying something ancient, and my biggest, by far, issue is getting the steel too hot too easily. Charcoal can focus an intense heat on a small part of the steel. I would recommend using steels that aren't really at risk of overheating, OR, error on the side of not enough heat rather than too much heat. I don't even use electronic blowers any more unless i'm working mild steel. There is a great pleasure in working a small thin bar of blade steel at very careful temperatures in a charcoal forge. It's what i do to relax, when i'm out at night, working the flame and getting that steel to just the right temperature, that's when i can really relax and process everything in my life.
These guys on this forum are incredible, talented people, but many are trying to make the best blade possible and teach us how to make the best blade possible. But for just starting out, seeing if you enjoy it, or going for something of a primitive experience, I think hardwood lump charcoal is good.

Enjoy!
 
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