For some reason, orcish just seems low end. Armour kinda, but more importantly weapons. I'm level 23 and If I'm right steel plate is better for armor and skyforge better for weapons. Now has anyone else noticed this or do I need to learn it's advantages or something?

i was wondering this as well, since acording to lore orcish smiths are considered to be some of the best.

They made it so the left side of the smithing tree has the more powerful weapons, while the right side has the more powerful armor.

Or at least I think so...

No, Orcish armor is stronger than Steel Plate. For example, in my case a Steel Plate helmet has a rating of 68 while an Orcish helmet has a rating of 70. Not too sure about weapons, but Orcish weapons are weaker than Dwarven and Elven.

But isn't orcish armor weaker than steel plate?

Nope

Disregard my last post. So, orcish armor is better then steel plate, but even dwarven weapons are stronger then orcish? Dwarven is a lower perk level though?

orcish blades look bad ass though