I watched a documentary on Netflix about Ulfberht swords last night, which was really cool. And, at the end of it I started thinking about smithing in Skyrim and ways Bethesda could have made it more "realistic" for lack of a better word.

For example, the formula for making a steel ingot should be iron and charcoal with clay and glass, to remove slag or impurities from the steel, not corundum. And, what I thought would be a really cool addition to the game was the fact that Viking smiths used bone instead of charcoal on occasion, to give their weapons the strength of whatever animal provided the bones. How cool would it be to incorporate an animal (or peson) you killed yourself into your weapon?

Well they aren't changing anything in Skyrim anymore. Best to put this in the series discussion board.

You can still mod this in your own game. Anyway, whatever "recipe" Bethesda would come up with, somebody would have posted that they would have preferred it to be different. In Oblivion, we couldn't use the forges, remember?

I'd rather see something along the lines of custom smithing in the next game, meaning that we can pick different parts for each weapon (blade, handle, etc.) and mix and match types of materials used so that way we can truly make a custom weapon that is unique to us as opposed to merely making an existing weapon that's found on thousands of bandits.

Considering iron is the first metal a newbie smith can use, having a list of ingredients that long could be frustrating for some people. Most low level items are simple to make (like health potions) because you're just starting out in the game. Everyone has a different level of play they want to have, and what is considered immersive to you could be intimidating to others.

If I played on PC, I would love to make a crucible steel mod. But, unfortunately I play on 360.

edit - from a historical standpoint, there is only one real "recipe" for making steel. And, yes, I do realize TES aren't set on earth, and what they call "steel" in this game may be a totally different material than what we call steel here on earth.

Well, you just answered to yourself.

Meh, as it is any item I make has a sentimental value to it. Found plenty of steel swords, but the one Demeter forged is hers, and hers alone; no steel sword found on a corpse will ever feel right to her.

The bone thing sounds interesting, and I kind of agree. I don't see how it's possible to make iron armor with a couple of small ingots and a leather strip. But, I like it the way it is. You don't want to complicate it too much.