I found an exploit with the forging that let me get extremely powerful equipment. The "Item ready!" button gives you the *currently* selected item, even if it's not what you forged. So, if you forge a 0/0 item, get the "Item ready!" button, and then change the item stats to max level, *then* click the button, you instantly get the max level item!

(Anyway, fun game! I think I like the horse ending best)