Originally posted by ec928:

btw: I agree you can do it with fully upgraded bronze armor as well, but it's a bit less efficient and uses up lots of bronze. If you hate mining, going from troll to iron armour is faster. And bronze is weaker than iron, so just be a bit more careful.

Aye bronze is not as good as iron, but it can be more plentiful and easier to come by than iron. IMO, and because 'reasons', skipping iron is ultimately more efficient. At swamp level, just use iron to make (and upgrade) a pick, forge upgrades and some nails for comfort items.