For improving try using lumps/tools with ql at most 20ql higher than improved item!
Coc/woa tools might also be a nice boost for your skilling curve... ===Alternative Weapon Smithing=== That guide works great when you use all of the specifics, just one change. Butchering knives have been changed and have nearly quadrupled in iron used to make the blade. Instead of them using .30 they moved to 1.10 so to use little iron and still get good skill gain make carving knives. They take .30 kgs of iron and use only .02 kg to improve. They also use weapon smithing in every aspect from creation to improving. This method is good for people who don't want to lose a lot of iron when grinding their skill.
===Blades smithing===