Buying laces in an actual cobbler's shop I asked about solutions to the low life expectancy of laces in my boots. I was told to try turning the grommets to see if that presents a less abrasive sector to the lace before I go at them with a stone. The cobbler said a Dremel fine conical turned by hand is best, reminded me that the metal is pretty thin. Turning grommets and eyelets, I was told, is actually an intended, if now uncommon, practice for boots and shoes that last long enough for the laces to wear the grommets or eyelets thin or through. I was also gently admonished that grommets are two piece constructions with an eyelet and a backing washer. Few shoes and fewer boots use eyelets alone.
I have turned the lace biting grommets in my boots 90 degrees 9had to scribe a register scratch to be sure,) don't yet have any idea if that has solved the lace wear problem.
