Jefe Bergenstein
Legend
I see no reason to punish non-casters with needless penalties to hit and damage. It was slightly more acceptable when you were dealing with a 22 strength half giant in 2nd edition, it's not needed in 5th edition.
Fluff the weaker materials as the baseline. Better gear (iron, copper) is a non-magical +1 to +2. Similarly, armor is relative as well. A mekilot breastplate is the equivalent of plate and grants +8 armor. Light cloth is +1. Reinforced leather is +3. Kank hide is +5 (chainmail), etc.
4E had a good take on weapon breakage. You could re-roll a miss, but the weapon broke. Metal I think only broke on a re-roll of a 1. Put the decision in the hands of the players.
Fluff the weaker materials as the baseline. Better gear (iron, copper) is a non-magical +1 to +2. Similarly, armor is relative as well. A mekilot breastplate is the equivalent of plate and grants +8 armor. Light cloth is +1. Reinforced leather is +3. Kank hide is +5 (chainmail), etc.
4E had a good take on weapon breakage. You could re-roll a miss, but the weapon broke. Metal I think only broke on a re-roll of a 1. Put the decision in the hands of the players.