Cost to level smithing vs why bother?

The Shadowscream armor with Luclin is a cheap way to level smithing, just need to get near 200 really and farm the parts, can use Almar's guide to get near 180 on plate BPs. If you're truly starting out on RF, the camps might be worth exp for you, which is a bonus.

In my opinion there is little margin on smithed items on Ragefire right now, you might be able to sell items to break even while skilling up. But since skilling up after Shadowscream take serious time to farm bloods or you need a strong group to farm the Tae Ew parts, I just wait until a guildmate needs something and hopefully skill up when smithing for friends.

When I first played EQ I also vowed not to do TS's, but the systems are far better now and why would I play the exact same way I did 18 years ago?