I am assuming that, just like in the previous versions, as melee weapons we'll have either swords or b12s.
My suggestion: keep it that way, but make it so that while crafting "swords" we are able pick different cosmetics for the item: hatchet, club, mace, dagger, quarter spear.
The stats would be exactly the same, but they would look different.
Or instead of giving us a choice, make the output reflect the crafter's highest stat e.g. club for strength, sword for agility, hatchet for constitution. For me this is similar to the wood color feature.
I suppose this could also be applied to different shield patterns and colors.