I prefer a nice rod(Boy the phallic implications of that! Freud would blush)
In real life, I don't like bladed weapons such as knives. They are personal but a little TOO personal. I prefer weapons that subdue than cut
Now a nice long blunt weapon like a walking stick, a shillelagh, a quarter staff,a Bo staff, broom handle with the end removed or, my favourite, a pvc pipe filled with sand, those say, "nothing personal, but I'm gonna beat the living shit outta you if you attack me".
Maybe it's just because I'm trained in them but with their long reach, their weight and use of force=radius of swing x weight, I just like the feel of them.