After what quest does the Oblivion gates start appearing? I mean, how long can I get into the MQ before they start, I don't want to have them scatteren around yet but I would like some of the benefits which comes with completing a couple of the quests before the gates start appearing.

I have run through the game before so don't think about you spoiling anything...I just can't remember.

After you complete the quest for closing the Kvatch gate, I believe..

Personally, unless my character is doing the Main Quest, I just go and dump the emperors bling on Jauffre, then go and roam freely. No need to even go to Kvatch..,

It's just because of this:

The Battle for Castle Kvatch

More than any other quest in the game, this one punishes those who put it off for even a few levels. Even at level 5, most of the guards and Legion troops will probably get killed before you even make it to the castle. At level 25 or higher, you will face dozens of Xivilai and Storm Atronachs. That said, the quest is technically optional. Also see the entry under Quests to Save for Later. Note that the quest reward is levelled so in doing the quest early, you forego one of the better versions of the Kvatch Cuirass.

You can avoid more gates opening as long as you don't escort Martin from the Encampment to his next destination.

Full details here: http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Oblivion_Gates

This. You can complete closing the Oblivion Gate, and retake Castle Kvatch, and as long as you don't take Martin to his destination, no more gates will open. As soon as Martin gets where he is going, then they start popping up everywhere.

Yep. Don't talk to Martin. Leave him at the encampment. You have technically done what the Emperor asked of you: You have found (and saved) his last heir, and you have "shut the jaws of Oblivion." You've become the "Hero of Kvatch." If you do nothing else in the Main Quest, the "Oblivion Crisis" is effectively over.

When/if you feel it's time to resume the quest, just go pick up where you left off.

On my current game, I've decided to be both selfish and smart about this. My character thinks, "If this amulet is so important, it's better off with me, a nobody, than with someone that the enemy might be watching." So right now I'm just exploring and doing whatever quest I come across.

Why not just give it to Jauffre, so it can atleast clean up a spot in your inventory. I hate having something there I can't use..

Isn't it strange how it's only worth 1k gold? There are marauders with shoes that are worth more.. (At higher levels ofcourse)

They should've priced it at like, I don't know, 100k or something..

The amulet has no weight, so it doesn't bother me.

Even if was highly valued, it really is just jewelry to anyone outside of the imperial family and the Mythic Dawn.

Oh, right. I forgot it was weightless. Silly me.

Anyway, it may be just jewelry, but have you seen the size of that thing? It's the size of damn monkey 'nads. (Don't ask how I know the size of monkey 'nads.)

It should atleast be worth more than it is.. It's the emperors, bling, and it . It can't be just a measly thousand gold.. At level 25, bandits wipe their asses with a thousand gold..

In most of my games I remove the quest item flag on the Amulet of Kings with the console and stick it in a respawning container. No fuss no muss. Those are of course the games I do not intend to do the main quest in.

But I have to question those that progress through the game without letting oblivion gates open: how the heck do you make it so enemies don't take forever to kill with weapons?

In every playthrough I've done where I don't bother with the MQ, I have to get at least as far as making more gates appear because I NEED to acquire enchantment stones from time to time to add fire/frost/shock/generic damage to my weapon. Otherwise, enemies get more powerful, weapons only become slightly more powerful with increased skill/material, and enemies take too long to kill. Adding enchantment damage to each swing eases that problem. A weapon's base damage alone just doesn't cut it anymore once I'm in the teens.

If I do, I start the MQ at about level 30, 75% difficulty. I enjoy the overwhelming odds and the brutal combat. The game gives you everything you need to survive, I pack extra potions, custom spells and repair hammers if needed (usually at 100 by then) and a backup blade, as most weapons I bring end up getting disintegrated after it's all said and done. I prefer to play the game, so that when I engage in combat, if I screw up, I die. If I perform brilliantly, I live. My two septims.

Basically what happens to me. I invest in Alchemy and armorer. Not as my major skill so I don't level up that fast. Also I use sneak to get a critical strike for extra damage.

You do not need a sigil stone to enchant weapons. You only need a filled soul gem. Plus access to the enchanting altar at the Arcane University/Frostcrag Spire. Or just use the console if you are on the PC.

Besides which, there are enchanted weapons to be found in various places. Just as one example, if you do the Unfriendly Competition quest, you can get two: Debaser and Calliben's Grim Retort.