No, their utility is balanced by the research investment/cost in mage time/gem cost or whatever, especially if you want to wish (or other high level spell-spam.)
You really cannot expect to have the forge up when clamming. With a hammer the price is 11 water 3 nature (and takes one turn to equip since it appears in the lab) - i.e 15 turns for payoff (provided you value gems equally, but thats another discussion)..