Fire Emblem is a difficult series, I don't know if you guys have heard

[Oyvoyvoyv]

The worst is FE11, where you can't even buy iron weapons at your base.

 

I hardly ever fight with anything else than iron, so I have a ton of good items in the end (and a load of money).

 

Iron provides better defense, so I actually prefer it over steel/silver (in most cases).

*Bows and magic are exceptions