They both have valid points. My favorite RPGs have been ones where you can buy skill packages at the beginning (character generation) at a cost savings over buying the skills individually, but then branch out into individual skills as you go.
Also, it should be easier to learn related skills when you know another skill with the same basis. For example, a high weaponsmithing skill should include weapon repair as a prerequisite, and let you buy armorsmithing or armor repair more cheaply than someone without a skill in the same family. It should even let you attempt armor repair without any points in that skill (at a penalty).