Thanks Guys;
TM, Although most any coal will suffice, even bags of charcoal from the supermarket, we (blacksmiths in general) prefer bituminous (soft) coal and extend that preference to soft coal from the "Pocahontas" series of mines. That coal seems to burn cleaner, with less slag and clinkers.
Safety glasses..well in a way..my regular specs have poly-bicarbonate lenses, should be enough for any errant sparks etc. At least, they have worked well for about 20 years.
I also have gas (propane) forges at home. Quicker to light..cleaner to use and more uniform heat throughout the heat box; good for tempering knife blades or tools. Unfortunately, they will not get as hot as a coal forge; my gas forge cannot be used for forge welding, for instance.
At fairs and demos they like to be "traditional"; coal fire, files, not grinders, hack saws, not chop saws.
This blacksmith shop at the NY State fair at Syracuse is an old one, marked and moved piece by piece and rebuilt at the antique carriage and sleigh museum there, it was originally Harris Bros shop at Williamson, NY. I am posting a couple pics again taken at the same shop last season. You will note in one where there is a greatly enlarged photo on the wall, showing the Harris bros at the same forge& anvil etc. in 1892. Note also, the plexiglas panels that keep much of the heat near the forge..