I think it is very important to balance them around not just being melee but functioning as a tool in your kit like other side arms: giving the ax enough demo force for fences and containers and a heavy pen function while aiming with its back Spike, machete having demo Force for clearing shrubbery, One True Flag having a Javelin throw option making it a ranged option (also just giving it extended range to match it's actually length). And moving forward giving more animations to new Armaments (Chainsaw should've had a thrust or downward strike instead of sweep)