Free-to-play Smithing training

Always favor platebodies > platelegs > shortswords, then sell to specialty shops/grand exchange

Levels 1-29
The Knight's Sword is a free-to-play quest that gives 12,725 Smithing experience upon completion. This reward would elevate a level 1 smith to level 29 immediately. It is strongly recommended that people interested in Smithing do this quest as soon as possible. For ironman characters to obtain the iron bars, head to the trees located in lvl 18 wilderness next to the bears west of the Graveyard of Shadows

Levels 1-15
Bronze bars provide 6.2 xp or 12.5 xp.

Level 15-35
At level 15 you can smelt iron. However, players only have a 50% success rate when smelting iron. Players are able to achieve 100% success if they are using superheat magic, although it is not advisable because of the cost of nature runes.

Levels 29-40
Silver bars. Easy way to get crafting xp along the way.

Level 30-50
Steel or iron. Specifically for grayhelm ironman, this may be the best, since iron ore is so quick to collect, and you only need 2 coal per iron ore for steel For ultimate ironman, this method is very slow unless you have nature runes for superheat, but it is better to save nature runes for superheating mithril.

Level 40-99
Gold, decent smithing xp and crafting xp. Best method for ironman accounts is to use law runes to tele to Fally from the crafting guild.

Levels 50-70
Superheating mithril can be very profitable and fast for ultimate ironmen.

Levels 70-99
Superheating adamantite is even better.

Levels 85-99
Superheating runite bars is the best, good luck getting here.