I would like to offer a suggestion for changing the affixing process.

When considering changing the system, in order to maintain the need to still level and experience multiple classes of DoH i propose this solution.

Since each tier of materia has a minimum lvl to affix we could use that in the new system. For instance, tier II has a minimum of lvl 31 therefore you would need to have the class be lvl 31 at a minimum but we would do away with the weapon gear/weapon minimum lvl. Items would still require a DoH class to affix but require you to be the minimum materia tier lvl to affix the materia to it.

Tier I -- min lvl 10 required DoH
Tier II -- min lvl 30 required DoH
Tier III -- min lvl 40 Required DoH
Tier IV -- min lvl 50 Required DoH

Therefore if for example a sword required blacksmith to affix, you would need to be the required min lvl of DoH to affix the materia to it.

You could still put a limit on the lvl of the item in conjunction to the tier of materia, for example

minimum lvl of item

Tier I -- lvl 1 +
Tier II -- lvl 20 +
Tier III -- lvl 30 +
Tier IV -- lvl 40 +

These are just some thoughts that popped in my head, maybe the system is fine the way it is, i would just like to see it and the crafting system as a whole stay as far away from one craft = one complete skill up like the WoW system. I would like it to be a challenge to lvl but still not a mind numbing task. I do like the quality of the item having a direct interaction with the amount of experience gained.