Gas forge vs coal, saw an old timer's setup at a demo and now I'm torn

Went to a shop demo in Ohio last weekend. The guy running it was 70 plus, been forging for 50 years. He fired up his coal forge and had this whole ritual with the water spray and the coke rake. Made it look easy. Then another guy there, younger fella, had a propane forge going and heated three bars in the time the old timer was still fiddling with his fire. Ive used coal twice in my life and honestly got frustrated with the smoke and the constant adjusting. But that old timer said coal gives you a softer heat, better control on thin stock. My gas forge is set and forget but I do burn up 1/8 inch leaves if I blink. So which is it for you all? Is coal worth the mess for finer work, or is gas the way and the old timer is just set in his ways?

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