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.
The Spartan swords were made up of iron  blade, the Kopis were also made up of iron and the shields were  made out of wood with an outer layer of bronze. Ancient greek weapons were made of copper or bronze. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. The very first weapon in Greece was copper then bronze.