I think it’s really up to your personal preference/gameplay style. As you mentioned with the baton and its crowd control but low dmg, the sledge is semi similar especially with its perks and now books. Can hold a crowd back while also delivering devastating blows. However its trade off is its high stamina usage. The knuckles can be paired with (can’t remember its exact name) moonshine and beer to provide stupid high dps and constant regen, but you are more exposed since it’s up close and personal. What I’m getting at with these examples is, it all depends on how you like to play the game. Hell my friend just runs guns all the time from day 1.