For me, the weapons are listed in order I like them starting with the best, ending in the worst, and my reasons why I like them.... [Hope this is a help.]
#1 Cutlass... Gives you more health when you level it!! Fill Endurance!!!
#2 Voodoo Doll... Only weapon in your arsenal that can HEAL YOU!!! Even when it's mastered, you can still benefit from changing from and unmastered weapon to it, use life drain to heal yourself, saving COSTLY tonics for when you REALLY need them!!! [Oh yeah, attune noobz.. they freak out.. Depending on your level of humor, you may find this funny..] Fill Focus and Life Drain, after that, it's up to you if you want to use it to Heal/Cure or Kill..
#3 Dagger... I just love the eviscerate, but that's just me
Ok, i'm not really sure what the best methods for this is, but I fill all the top circles and put one skill in each of the others, EXCEPT Throw Dirt!!!
#4 Pistol... It can take down LVL 40's even when it's only a LVL 15, provided your health is high enough to endure the beating you get from the LVL 40's... I filled Shoot, Take Aim, Lead, will be putting two points on each of the other shots and only one on Sharp Shooter..
#5 Cannon... OMG, why did I master this???? I love using my cannons!!! But now I get 0 reps, bummer!!! I didn't waste any points this time on Chain Shot or Grape Shot, what a waste they were!!!
#6 Voodoo Staff... This is cool, but I still don't have Desolation, but when I do, I'm filling it up!!! [Ok, I only want it to SHOW OFF.. yeah, I'll be on Abassa showing off one day.. LOL..]
#7 Grenades... Ok, so I really think these should have been our FIRST weapon since I find it utterly useless minus filling Determination for regenerating health faster.
#8 Sailing... Doesn't someone else want to Pilot/Drive/Steer My Ship For Me??? Ok, I'm probably the only one EVER who HATES to sail!!! I did fill my Treasure Sense though.