Talking to several smiths in the cities of Skyrim, it is a frequent discussion as to just who is the best smith in all of Skyrim. The most common citation is that Eorland Gray-Mane is the best. ("The man's steel is legendary.") HOWEVER the Truth is that it is the Dragonborn that is obviously the best. Why is that? Because the DB is the ONLY person that can take _anyone's_ weapons or armor and improve them. That's something that the DB can do immediately from the very start of the game. A couple of smiths are kind enough to explain how to improve weapons and armor. But beyond those introductory lessons no smith in Skyrim EVER improves a weapon or piece of armor.

Why is that? Why have what is and should be a common smithing promise, but then have NOT A SINGLE smith use that practice? It really makes for an unfair advantage for the Dragonborn: An opposing NPC may wear the very best armor and the very best weapons, but then the DB -- and only the DB -- can take identical weapon and armor and make it 5-10 times better by improving them to Legendary.

Yes, this has been a criticism of Smithing in Skyrim since day one. And I agree. It's very odd that a "Smith" never actually smiths anything. There are mods that let them offer smithing services and they add a lot to the roleplaying experience, in my opinion. After all, some of my characters may not want to learn the trade. These characters should be able to hire someone to do that job for them.

If Smithing is in the next game, I hope Smiths will actually be able to Smith.

That's why I never use smithing to temper or grind weapons and armor.I would only do that when playing on master or Legendary.

I also hope that rare armor is rare again and smithing it is hard or only doable with specific equipment or not possible at all.In Tribunal you could bring glass,ebony or admant to a smith that could forge the armor for you if you paid him.