I love my Handaxe. Ashe is using it right now, and I just beat the crap out of Cluckatrice with it (along with Penelo @ Chopper and Basch @ Ancient Sword... ^_^), so yeah.

I don't really mind using a weapon whose damage fluctuates. For now, I gather LP by going to the Estersand and beating the snot out of Wolves while getting chains of 100+. Even when she hits a 2 with it (compared to her max of around 450), Basch and Penelo finish the job nicely.

=P

In short, axes and hammers for the win.