dEBw,

I posted in post #53 of this thread how I was rather surprised when I poked my finger right through my SmartWool crew base layer sleeve while pulling it off casually. I hadn't thought about how wool is not indestructable! I am more careful now with my definitely NOT cheap woolies.
Were you wearing your SW glove liners as outer gloves? That might explain why they did not hold up to abrasion, grabbing tree trunks, etc- they are meant to be worn inside other gloves- probably woven to be soft and thin rather than durable.
You could still sew up the holey fingertips and wear your liners under big work gloves or under mittens, etc.