User blog comment:XvLIGHTNINGvx/Skyrim's Weapons Will Not Degrade Over Time/@comment-78.105.20.113-20110918192954

Although repair hammers were very annoying, it added a element of fear when your armour and weapons are low and you gotta get back to town hoping you dont run into anything(yes you can fast travel but I like legging it and discovering stuff). And it was also cool when you are a high level and make everything better. Also I like going into my house selecting my armour and weapons out of the chest and preparing them for the quest :)