You can also use hardwood chips, which then charcoalise IN the fire, so that you are effectively using charcoal. Yuo should be using a reducing fire ,very little air and a hood to hold the heat. The big problem about blacksmithing is that this was a trade handed down to your apprentice and not put in books. The last blacksmith I knew died at the age of 97 and I wish I would have paid more attention to what he tried to show me. I have made and presented many blades to people in our shire using mostly traditional methods but modern steels.
All ingredients are to be finely powdered and well mixed.
Mix well and keep in an air tight container as this mixute is hydroscopic. The little silica Gel drying packets often put in with cameras and electronic equipment are another example where this effect is used. Meaning that it will eat away at your forge liner, walls etc. At low temps it would sort of be like putting crushed ice in a castle made out of sugar cubes. Nothing much happens.