I feel that it's a problem that weapon repairing is both such a constant and important activity (without weapon repairs, it's hard to combat level in any real way unless you have unlimited weapons) and only available in a controlled way.

As things stand, especially with the player base as low as it is currently, it is rare to have weapon repairers availble. Certainly not as often as they are needed. Okef was established for this reason, but he's been "given" to the tinker guild, which means one person (the tinker GM) controls who can use Okef.

For an activity as essential (and constant, unlike having a weapon or armour forged) to everyone as weapon repairing is, I think it should be more freely available than that (for example, food and water is not controlled access).

My proposal would be to divorce weapon repairing from the Blacksmithing skill and make it a world lore skill of its own, Repair Weapon.

I feel that it is reasonable as a world lore skill--it seems like the sort of thing anyone who uses weapons could learn to do. But it still requires learning, like swimming or navigating. It also seems like the type of "general" skill that makes sense as a world lore skill. Finally, I wouldn't say the Tinker guild or Fighter guild depend on weapon repairing for unique identity, monetary gain or power. So I think removing it from their province wouldn't adversely affect either guild.