This is the third time I'm playing this now, and I've tried, I've really tried, but for the life of me...

I've just played the game and hadn't even considered it might be a problem for some people unitl seeing complaints online.

Because it forces you to think for yourself on how to best optimize your combat to preserve your weapons. Do you want to flurry rush the lynel to death and break two weapons, or have patience and kill it with backstabs? Do you want to kill a Guardian with your swords, or reflect its beam and risk mortal wounds for the chance at no durability loss?