Let's approach smithing a different way, instead of coming up with all new different weapon looks, lets make it where the way the weapon is made what the weapon is.
For instants "Damascus" steel is an assorted types of metal in it and you can shape it in any form; so why make new models for every type of metal.
On that note we can give all the metals properties instead of a model.

for example
[Ingot type]= [durability in %],[enchantment capacity in %], [weight of weapon type in %]

Iron= 45%, 30%, 60%

Steel= 60%, 40%, 50%

Dwarvan= 75%, 35%, 70%

Moonstone= 50%, 60%, 40%

Ebony= 85%, 55%, 90%

Malachite= 65%, 50%, 55%

Gold/Silver= This is and enchanting process that would add 5-10% more to all stats of the weapons.

Damage would be scaled off of the weapon type/class, smithing quality and if it was a daedric imbued.


By going at this approach we can have a-lot of models with out having to class them as steel or elven....
and having durability will prevent from grinding out daggers all day and night.
And i figure that you would also have to learn how to make different weapons from npc's or books.
But Enchantment will be cover at a later point.