To be honest, I think arms lore skill has nothing to do while crafting weapons, except the damage increase property on them. Which can be capped with the other gear pieces easily. So, I would go pure blacksmithing, tinkering, fletching, carpentry etc. (and a base of 120 armslore, just in case) when I am going to make some weapons.
I didn't experience crafting weapons except tinkering yet but I think you can ask Shena whatever you want, since she is doing it for so long. And here is an example of her work