To those that say katana, I would honestly claim a standard saber would be a better choice.
1. A saber is meant for 1 handed use, unlike the katana which is primarily a two handed weapon. This allows another hand to open doors, and do other important tasks. Although one could use a katana with one hand, it is difficult and ineffective.
2. A saber includes a sizable hand guard, adding another layer of protection as well as impromptu brass knuckles in emergencies if they get really close. One could also perhaps use the hand guard to pound nails in and do other tasks adding to the usefulness of a saber.
3. A saber is generally slightly shorter, but also lighter than a Katana. They easily weigh under 2 pounds.
Not saying a saber isn't a good weapon (it is) but I think you are generalizing a great deal about katana. Like everything else, they came in a variety of sizes and styles. Also, there is a distinct difference in katana from "the old days" (they were big and heavy, with lots of reach and wide blades for shearing power) and the later periods where the majority of the time a sword was worn for personal security or ceremony. Swords made later were straighter, shorter and lighter. The blade quality was the same or better, but it's like comparing a cat's paw to an actual crow bar.
Also, just because every samurai movie you've ever seen has everyone holding a katana with two hands doesn't mean that the proper use of the blade mandates two hands. Ever hear of ni to kenjutsu? Two swords, one hand each. The Takenouchi ryu in classical bujutsu favors shorter blades over the full length katana, one hand use there.
Even though I don't have any experience with sabers, I know there are functional and aesthetic differences between say, a French saber and an Indian talwar, or a German saber and a Navy cutlass. Sabers for cavalry could be quite long and weighted accordingly to their designated role.
I will agree with you that a hand guard is a valuable percussion instrument, but I've never seen any with the dimensions needed to be able to drive actual nails without damaging sword or user.
Kenjutsu, as taught by the guys in the naginata pic above, is distinctly different than what is taught in classical bujutsu, there's more stabbing than slashing, and the scabbard or another weapon is often held in the other hand.
The more I think about it I like the idea of a spear. A mace also sounds like a good bet.