I was wondering if anyone has ever tried to develope a character that used only these items, and didn't use their own skills unless they first found an item which gave them that ability.
Don't think so. Dallen over at Darkman's forum played a Sorc without her own skills - she used skills from +Skill bonuses only. (Though she did have 1 point in Warmth.) But I don't think anyone's tried a "find it before you use it" kind of character. At least not that I've seen documented. 
[o: *LEMMING* :o]