Well some late game stuff need old stuff, like the padded armour, but generally I agree the progression needs another look, as in why so much bones and scrap leather ?
Personally I just make all the weapons, even those I have no intention of using as deco items in my hall, but yeah the devs will need to re-look at the drops as they currently make no sense ( tonnes of scap leather and bones, post mountains...what the heck am I to do with the 10 stacks of bones :P )