If you are brave, try making a +6 Full Plate set. You only need the Helmet and main armour piece at +6 and it's a LOT easier to make now that it can be bought at the shop for pretty cheap.
It will carry you through to A grade and it's probably cheaper than Doom/BW+tats for instance (if you can get the oe to work). Apparently the increased mp regen is also frigging amazing on an SK.
BlueWolf + Damacus w/ focus (+4 Str -4 Con) or +5 of same style...
Hexing every mob and a Focus sword > vanguard imo
Dont do a HP tanking setup before your mid 60s... there is nothing b4 that lvl that you cant just vr tank if you have reasonable pdef and hex... carry a low C grade weapon w/ heath for raids and youll be fine w/ a good healer
My setup for B grade was kesh/focus, BW heavy and +5 str/-5 con. If u are rich, get damascus. Hunting spots: with healer and buffs best xp u can get is aoe in apostate. If u dont have any healer, just stick to 1 room in catas or go to enchanted valley. And yes, hex + focus sword > vanguard, at least for SK.