Touche!
However, from a rules standpoint, it mentions that it can happen 'between games' for a HP (or is it 2?) or you can get it done 'in game' for some Role Play. But if you will recall that the *clan* may not have an ironsmith but the tribe certainly will. And there may be two or three at the various cities. And these folks will be quite competent...
Most of their time and effort will be taken up by duties to their patrons but they will probably work for a few cows if they have a spare afternoon.
Paying 1 HP between games represents convincing YOUR patrons to put you in that 'obligatory metalwork for the boss's guys' queue. Roleplaying saves the trouble of spending those precious HP but, as you say, you may not be able to find a good craft. The current HW campaign I am running has been going for over a year now and rather than spending a night finding someone enchant some iron, we are more involved with our bloodfeuds, raids, rebellion, not-getting-made-chieftain and what REALLY happened to the Chieftain anyways.
For a more nascent group, and certainly for the first time a player wants to get something liek that done, I'd roleplay it out -- first time is always special. But after that, its really up to the player (and whether the other players will put up with it) and the narrowtime constraints for the game (7-11 one night a week)
Afterall, we've got Gagarthi to kill! (Nice Keyword, Mark!)
Jeff
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