sword or dagger!!!???

[Stormrunner]

Aye, I think it's a good idea to keep your cutlass and dagger within a few levels of each other.

I'd also recommend putting a dot on either Asp or Adder early on. (You don't need both.) You can then use it to tag Navy or EITC soldiers - since you can't shoot them - and get them to come at you. Both Sidewinder and Viper's Nest do the same thing, of course, but you need to be at a much higher level before you can get them.

The passive skill Blade Instinct is the real prize here, imo. It increases the damage you can inflict from both your dagger and cutlass by 25% (if you max it out). Definitely worth saving skill points for.