It has occurred to me that the moments in which a customer is asking for "a"/"That" (no metal type) "weapon"
That they're actually probably asking for "Brass" "Bronze" or "Steel" - Which seem "high enough" on the "metal" "tiers" when you equip their hammer to allow customers to ask for things like Adelite and Mithril (I currently have a Steel Hammer, and have been getting at least Mithril Requests)
I just attempted to Pawn a Steel Dagger (finally a dagger request which I can easily provide Brass or Steel for) for a "Make me a dagger please!" - And he won't accept it.
This is why It's occurred to me that maybe they don't request "blank" metals at all, and that the Brass, Bronze, and Steel requests are simply as incomplete/broken as their prices. - and in reality - I've just been "underlevel" of a "requested type" thus able to sell.. not "random type"
Momentarily will attempt Brass first - Which I will assume to be the Lowest of the three alloys, and then Bronze, if I still have the chance, To see if either of these two grant "type" bonus - and/or Sell.
If he accepts Brass, but no type bonus, and Brass is indeed the lowest quality alloy (which I can't say it is for sure) - Then that means it must've been Bronze.... cause otherwise I don't see why NPCs would accept literally anything else I can currently provide for these, but not Steel - which I assume to be the highest.