Kids' creativity, as measured by the most recent Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking scores, has been sliding since 1990, most noticeably among our younger students. Reduced music and arts education is cited as a key factor.
I like to use the 'demolition grade' blades. They ll cut wood, metal, plaster, wire, or pretty much anything you d care to throw at them. They're made from decent carbon steel that will take and hold an edge rather well. When bought in packs of a dozen, they can be had for about a buck each.
Nails can be made of any free-to-play metal that can be smithed. Only steel nails are free-to-play, as they are used in the Dragon Slayer quest. Bronze, iron and black through to rune can only be used by members. To make nails, you need to use a bar of the same metal with an anvil, with a hammer in your inventory. Each bar yields 15 nails.